Baby Girl Found in Trash Bin in the Rain–but a Nigerian Doctor Rushes to Save Her Life

(Illustration - GSPhotography/Shutterstock)

A Nigerian doctor recently shared the heartbreaking story of a newborn baby girl found dumped in a trash receptacle. The baby was heard crying by police officers, who then discovered her wrapped in plastic bags and left alone in a pile of trash under rainy skies.

Dr. Bright Oris chronicled the baby’s journey from the moment she came into his NICU and the bond that he quickly formed with his tiny patient.

“Just less than an hour ago a police car drove into the hospital, said they found a baby in a refuse dump crying, so they decided to bring it to the hospital in the boot of their car,” Dr. Oris shared in a thread on Twitter on May 30.

“I met a baby in the trunk of the car wrapped in plastic bags with umbilical cord still attached to the placenta,” he said. The doctor quickly rushed the baby to the hospital’s neonatal wing to administer resuscitation. It had been raining, Dr. Oris explained, and the child was “very cold to touch.”

The odds were against her, yet just hours after she came into the NICU, Dr. Oris declared, “baby girl is a fighter!”

A day later, the doctor and baby had developed such a strong bond that he was considering becoming her adoptive father. “Update: Baby girl is doing much better,” the doctor posted on Twitter, next to a heartwarming video of the infant being soothed by his comforting touch.

“I’ve taken it upon myself to cater for her until a decision is reached by the management,” he added. “I hope they’ll let me keep her ... Who and why would anyone want to throw away such a beautiful baby girl?”

In response, the doctor’s supportive followers began replying with suggestions for names. One netizen suggested Chimuanya, which means “my God is not asleep,” or Chisimdi, “God wants me to be.” Another ventured Kpakpando, which means “star,” as the perfect name.

According to Dr. Oris’s Twitter account, the baby girl was in good health on June 1, though the 48 hours that followed brought numerous complications, which ultimately turned negative.

By the early hours of the morning on June 3, the baby was vomiting blood and was placed on oxygen to assist her labored breathing. The doctor even donated his own blood for a transfusion.

Yet tragically, despite expert care and a loving bond with her primary caregiver, the baby girl was not strong enough to pull through. She passed away on the morning of June 3. A devastated would-be father shared the news on his Twitter thread.

“Started baby girl on blood transfusion,” he wrote, “but just less than an hour after, baby girl stopped breathing. I lost my baby girl ... she’s in a better place now. This world did not deserve her.”

The news amassed huge support from Dr. Oris’s followers, hundreds of whom left comments commending the doctor for the unconditional love he provided the infant during her short life.

“My happiness is that you showed her that the world is not all cruel,” wrote one netizen.

“I’m so sorry. I can imagine how bad you must feel right now,” wrote another. “Thank you for showing her genuine love ... Your blood ran through her veins before she passed. May her innocent soul speak favors for you. May she Rest In Peace.”