Crying Baby Found Abandoned At Apartment Complex, Cops Search For Missing Mother

Houston, Texas -- Police have released the identity of a missing mother, whose baby boy was found abandoned outside an apartment complex in Texas. The woman was identified as Dana McGowan, 33, and investigators said the circumstances that led to her being separated from the child are still unclear.

The baby was discovered Tuesday by an employee and resident of the southwest Houston apartment complex, Click2Houston.com reported. The crying child was wearing nothing but a diaper and was found near the gate of the apartment complex. He was taken to the hospital before being placed in the custody of Children’s Protective Services.

The child appeared to have some minor injuries around his mouth. Investigators believe the toddler may have sustained them after being left all by himself.

A family member contact the police and revealed the identities of the child and his mother. The information helped police contact the child’s father, who said he didn’t know where the mother was or that his son was missing. He also told officials that he didn’t want the child to be placed in his care.

Police shared details about McGowan on Thursday and said family members haven’t been able to get in touch with her.

McGowan was last seen Tuesday in the area around South Drive and Wilcrest, before her son was found abandoned.

Tacorya Robinson, who knew McGowan, said she saw the mother the day she went missing.

"I saw that girl walking up and down the street full of sweat," Robinson told ABC13 Houston. "She was looking back and forth and scared. I called her name. I said, 'Dana!' She looked at me and she got scared. She took off walking."

"It affected me, because it's like, I could've helped her. I could've helped that baby. You know what I'm saying?" she added.

Robinson also said McGowan did not have secure housing and had nobody she could turn to.

"Dana didn't have (anybody),” Robinson went on to say. “Her family wasn't there for her, you know what I'm saying? She didn't have anybody to help her. She was staying from pillow to post. She was probably crying out for help, but nobody would help her. They were using her.”

Investigators said the search for McGowan continues and they hope to find out why her son was abandoned.

"We don't want to say that we're trying to file a charge on the mom because we don't even know," said Sgt. R. Swope with the Houston Police Department said at a press conference. "There could be many possibilities."