A newborn discovered abandoned on a patch of grass Tuesday afternoon was by Wednesday afternoon safe, healthy and in the temporary custody of the Delaware County Department of Job and Family Services (DCDJFS).

As the county was securing temporary custody of the baby, authorities were releasing images of a woman they hope to speak with in connection with the case.

The unclothed male infant was discovered by a passing motorist along Owensfield Drive near the parking lot of the Meijer store on U.S. 23S. A 911 call placed by the motorist at 1:22 p.m. brought a rapid response from the Orange Township Fire Department and the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office.

Sue Ware, social services administrator with DCDJFS, said she heard from Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus that the boy is in good health and will be discharged by Friday at the latest. The hospital is keeping the child, who weighs 5 pounds 11 ounces and is 19.29 inches long, to make certain he has no infections.

The county received temporary custody of the child in a Wednesday afternoon court hearing held by Delaware County Juvenile Court Judge Kenneth Spicer, Ware said. A foster family has also been identified, she said.

The foster mother began visiting the child Wednesday holding and feeding him to begin the bonding process,Ware said. Once released from the hospital, the child will then reside in a licensed Delaware County foster care home.

The future of the child is up to the biological parents, Ware said. If they do not attempt to contact children services within the next 90 days, then the agency can appeal to the courts for permanent custody. If the biological parents are interested in reunification with the baby, there will be certain criteria that will need to be met.

The issues that caused the abandonment of the baby will need to be addressed, Ware said.

Meanwhile, the sheriff’s office Wednesday announced it is seeking additional information about a possible witness in the case.

Investigators with the sheriff’s office were advised that a woman who appeared to be nervous visited a nearby Goodwill Store at about the time the baby was abandoned. Investigators have obtained surveillance video of the woman and believe she may have information related to the case. Authorities do not think the woman is the missing mother, but believe she might have been with her or witnessed something. “We want to be clear, we do not believe this woman is the baby’s mother,” Sheriff Walter Davis III said in a written release.

“…We want to talk to her and see if she has any information that may be helpful.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office at 740-833-2800.

lrobertson@delgazette.com

Gazette editor Devon Immelt contributed to this story.