Authorities Rescue Three Infants Discovered in Critical Condition in Vacant Ohio Home

Cleveland, Ohio — October 2025

A Heartbreaking Discovery in a Forgotten Place

Authorities in Cleveland, Ohio, are investigating a deeply disturbing case after three newborn babies were found clinging to life inside an abandoned home late Sunday night. The shocking discovery has left residents horrified and investigators scrambling to determine who left the infants behind — and why.

The babies — all believed to be just a few days old — were discovered wrapped in filthy blankets on the dusty floor of a boarded-up house on East 94th Street, a neighborhood long plagued by poverty and decay. Police say the newborns were suffering from dehydration and hypothermia but were still breathing when emergency crews arrived.

“This is one of the most heartbreaking cases we’ve ever seen,” said Chief Daniel Brooks of the Cleveland Police Department. “Three innocent lives, abandoned with no care, no protection — it’s a miracle they’re alive.”

How the Infants Were Found

According to police reports, the discovery was made shortly after 10 p.m. when a neighbor, Angela Morris, called 911 after hearing faint cries coming from the derelict property next door.

“At first, I thought it was stray cats,” Morris said. “But the sound didn’t stop. It was weak, almost like a baby whimpering. Something in my gut told me to call for help.”

Officers responding to the call found the back door of the house partially open. The building, which has been vacant for nearly four years, had no electricity or running water. Inside, amid piles of trash and broken furniture, officers found a small bundle of blankets in the corner of a room. When they pulled them back, they were stunned to see three tiny infants — two girls and one boy — struggling to breathe.

“They were pale, cold, and barely moving,” said Officer Raymond Hill, one of the first responders. “It broke everyone’s heart. We knew every second mattered.”

Paramedics quickly transported the babies to Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital, where doctors worked through the night to stabilize them. Hospital officials confirmed on Monday that all three remain in critical but stable condition in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Inside the Abandoned House

Investigators described the interior of the property as “unfit for human habitation.” The windows were boarded shut, the walls covered in mold, and garbage scattered across the floors. The only signs of recent activity were the blankets, several used baby bottles, and a half-empty carton of formula found near the corner where the infants lay.

“There were no identifying items — no diapers, no documents, nothing to suggest who brought them there,” Chief Brooks said. “It looked like someone placed them there and left.”

Forensic teams are analyzing fingerprints, DNA traces, and security footage from nearby streets to identify who may have entered the property in the hours before the discovery.

Police believe the babies were left there less than 48 hours before being found.

Neighbors in Shock and Grief

The Cleveland neighborhood where the infants were discovered is no stranger to hardship — but residents say this tragedy has shaken them to the core.

“I can’t stop thinking about those babies,” said Morris, her eyes filling with tears. “Who could do something like that? Whoever it was must have been desperate — or heartless.”

Others gathered outside the crime scene Monday morning, lighting candles and leaving teddy bears and baby clothes on the front steps of the abandoned home. One handwritten note read: “You were never alone. We care. We love you.”

Police Search for the Mother

Detectives are now urgently searching for the mother — or mothers — of the infants. Medical experts believe all three newborns were likely delivered within the same week. DNA testing is underway to determine whether they are siblings.

“We’re keeping every possibility open,” said Detective Carla Ruiz, who leads the case. “It could be one woman who gave birth to triplets and panicked. Or it could be multiple babies abandoned by different individuals in the same place. We just don’t know yet.”

Authorities are also checking hospitals, shelters, and prenatal clinics in the area to locate any recent births or medical records that might match the infants.

“We want to find the person responsible — not only to seek justice but also to understand what led to this,” Ruiz said. “Sometimes desperation drives people to do the unthinkable.”

Medical Team: ‘They’re Fighters’

Doctors at Cleveland Clinic said the babies are receiving round-the-clock care, including oxygen support, antibiotics, and fluids.

“They’re fragile but strong,” said Dr. Emily Harris, the neonatal specialist treating them. “They’ve survived incredible odds. Every hour they keep fighting gives us hope.”

Hospital staff have affectionately nicknamed the infants Hope, Faith, and Chance.

“We don’t know their names or where they came from,” Dr. Harris added. “But they deserve love, a name, and a chance at life.”

Social services have already begun preparations for potential foster care placement if the infants recover and no family members come forward.

Authorities Urge Public Help

Police are asking anyone with information — particularly women who may have recently given birth or know someone who has suddenly disappeared — to contact investigators. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers of Greater Cleveland.

“We’re not here to judge,” said Chief Brooks. “If a mother is out there, scared or hiding, we just want to ensure her safety and the safety of these babies. Please, come forward.”

Authorities also reminded residents that Ohio’s Safe Haven Law allows parents to safely surrender newborns — up to 30 days old — at hospitals, fire stations, or police departments without fear of prosecution.

“This tragedy could have been prevented,” Brooks said. “No one has to abandon a child to die.”

Community Reaction and Outpouring of Support

As news of the discovery spread, donations began pouring into local charities and hospitals. Diapers, baby formula, clothing, and blankets filled donation boxes at police stations and community centers across Cleveland.

“It’s heartbreaking, but at least people are responding with love,” said Reverend Thomas Greene, pastor of a nearby church. “These children are a miracle, and they’re a reminder of our duty to protect the most vulnerable.”

Cleveland’s mayor, Erica Donovan, called the case “a tragedy born from both despair and neglect” and pledged to strengthen social programs for struggling mothers. “No woman should ever feel that her only option is abandonment,” she said.

A City Holds Its Breath

For now, the focus remains on saving the lives of the three newborns who somehow survived the unthinkable. Doctors say the next 48 hours will be crucial as their tiny bodies recover from exposure and malnutrition.

Outside the hospital, residents have left flowers and cards. One message taped to the entrance reads: “You are loved. You are wanted. You will live.”

As Cleveland waits for answers — and justice — one question continues to haunt the city:

Who left these babies to die, and why did no one come back for them?