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Police: Baby born in UA dorm found in bag
Sarah E. Tatum
Arizona Daily Star
The full-term baby delivered by a UA student in a dorm was found in a bag at the foot of her bed, gasping for air, police say in an interim complaint.
The University of Arizona sophomore was arrested on a charge of attempting to kill her newborn son. Sarah E. Tatum told police that she hid her pregnancy and that she had a miscarriage.
UA student charged with trying to kill infant
Tatum also told University of Arizona police that she delivered the baby in the shower and later placed him in a bag along with her dirty clothes before tying the bag shut, the interim complaint said.
While being interviewed, Tatum used the phrase “after the baby died” when talking about the actions she took in the shower, the complaint said.
Tatum, of Scottsdale, told police she had not sought prenatal care for the child, who was suffering from hypoxia, a deprivation of oxygen. A doctor estimated the baby had been in the bag for at least two hours.
Authorities did not learn of the birth until approximately 5:40 p.m. on Monday when someone called for medical assistance.
Police declined to say who called, but say it was not Tatum. They would not discuss how that person knew of the birth.
Both Tatum and the baby were taken to University Medical Center for treatment.
Her son remained in critical condition Thursday morning.
Tatum was released from the hospital Wednesday and was subsequently booked into the Pima County jail on child abuse and an attempted murder charge.
She was released to Pretrial Services Wednesday night.
Child Protective Services is involved in the investigation.
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