MANHEIM TOWNSHIP (WPMT)-A newborn baby was found alive in a toilet earlier this month in Manheim Township, according to court documents.
The baby’s mother, 19-year-old Swanee White, is facing charges of endangering the welfare of children, simple assault, and recklessly endangering another person.
Police were called to the 1100 block of Marshall Avenue on Jan. 3 for a report of a baby being born in a toilet. White, of York, was visiting with her cousin in Manheim Township at the time of the birth. According to court documents, White emerged from the bathroom and told her cousin that she had just given birth and she did not know she was pregnant. Her cousin called 911 and pulled the newborn out of the toilet and wrapped the infant in a towel.
White told investigators during an interview on Jan. 5 that the baby had been laying face-down in the toilet for several minutes before she told her cousin, court records show.
After authorities reviewed her phone records, they said it was apparent White knew she was pregnant, according to the criminal complaint.
Medical experts said White’s reckless conduct put the infant at risk for hypothermia, hypoglycemia, infection, aspiration and hypoxic brain injury, court records show.
White was arrested on Wednesday and taken to Lancaster County Prison. She was released after posting $10,000 bail.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 30.
