4-Month-Old Baby Boy Abandoned In Woods Found By Police In 'Hypothermic State'

Police in Michigan found and rescued a 4-month-old baby boy on Wednesday in a wooded area after he was presumed missing, local authorities said.

"The baby was in a hypothermic state when he was found in an area near Waldon and Joslyn roads," the Oakland County Sheriff's Office said in a statement.

Authorities on the scene were able to stabilize the child, who was lying face down near the banks of an Orion Township creek with the help of emergency medical personnel. The infant was taken to Saint Joseph Mercy hospital for further treatment and observation.

"The child is expected to be kept overnight at the hospital and is in the charge of child protective services," according to the police.

Authorities initiated the search after the abandoned baby's mother was detained and questioned for suspicious behavior earlier.

Officers were dispatched to the area in the morning after receiving two 911 calls from neighbors reporting a woman who was hiding in bushes and ringing their doorbells. Callers described the woman as appearing distraught and said that she believed someone with guns was chasing her. She was caught after Waldon Middle School staff reported a frantic woman hitting the locked doors of the school.

Police identified the woman as a 37-year-old Orion Township resident but did not disclose other details. She reportedly gave interviewers information that was considered inaccurate yet authorities were able to discover that she has an infant son. Officers determined the mother had gone through a field or a wooded area based on the burrs on her pants, and estimated the possible location of the infant.

"Thankfully, deputies were able to determine a baby was missing, which triggered an immediate large response and search, and they were able to locate the child," Sheriff Michael Bouchard said. "Their quick work avoided what could have been an unspeakable tragedy."

Police started "searching in a one-mile grid between the woman's home, the school and the neighbors who had reported the suspicious activity," according to the statement. A total of 13 patrol cars were dispatched to the area and a K-9 unit was called in to assist.

Authorities believe prescription drug abuse was a factor in the incident. A warrant has also been issued for the mother's arrest on suspected child abuse.