How employees at a Plano business helped young parents seeking ‘safe haven’ for newborn

Angela Owens and Tabatha Peri were helping customers Wednesday at Hieline Mobility Solutions in Plano, when a young man walked in asking for help. Owens accompanied him to his car where his girlfriend was in the passenger seat, holding a newborn wrapped in a towel.

It was about 2 p.m., and the young parents said she delivered the baby an hour earlier.

Plano police said Thursday the parents sought help at Hieline because they were unable to care for the newborn.

If parents cannot care for their baby, Texas’ Safe Haven law — or Baby Moses law — allows them to leave infants younger than 60 days old at hospitals, fire stations, emergency centers or emergency services stations, provided they notify an employee they are seeking a “safe haven.” Parents who follow the procedures of the law will not face criminal charges for abandonment.

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After Owens saw the woman and baby in the car, Peri said she came outside with a wheelchair to bring the woman into their employee break room until first responders arrived. The woman chose to stay in the car, and Owens brought the baby inside, the employees told The Dallas Morning News on Friday.

The parents decided to drive to the hospital so the mother could receive medical care, Peri said. They were scared and in shock, she said.

The couple likely thought the Planned Parenthood next to Hieline was a safe haven, Peri said, and walked through the wrong doors. Planned Parenthood locations do not qualify as safe havens.

Once inside, Owens and Peri called 911 for assistance in tying the baby’s umbilical cord. They knew the baby hadn’t eaten, so Peri ran to the Planned Parenthood and asked for formula, but it didn’t have any. The employees did their best to keep the baby warm and comfortable until Dallas Fire-Rescue arrived.

The baby was beautiful and healthy, Peri said. She and Owens heard it cry.

“[The parents] tried to do the right thing,” Peri said. “They were trying to seek help, and they came here and got help. And they went to a hospital. They didn’t try to run or hide or anything like that.”

Peri and Owen’s biggest wish is that the couple is safe — Peri said they did nothing wrong.

“Hopefully the family can all be reunited,” Owens said. “That’s what we hope for the family.”

An investigation is ongoing, and the detective involved did not immediately respond with updates on the case.

The baby is in good condition at a Dallas hospital, police said Thursday, and they have identified the mother and father.

The Texas Baby Moses law hotline can be reached at 877-904-7283.