ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — It's been nine days since Orlando police said a mother abandoned her newborn child.
Investigators searched dumpsters, sewers and a nearby pond in search of Baby Willow. They said Susan Richardson discarded the baby after giving birth somewhere near the Willow Bend Apartments.
Richardson is facing child neglect and desertion charges.
Police said they are checking surveillance video from business near the pond.
"I know people I associate with that have given her money thinking they were going to get this baby," neighbor Stephanie Hill said.
Richardson has reportedly given away other children to family members in the past, and she and Johnnie Bryant, her boyfriend, had planned on giving Willow away as well.
Richardson told investigators she left Willow outside a random apartment.
WFTV legal analyst Bill Sheaffer said convicting Richardson might not be easy.
"This is a circumstantial evidence case at this point. And who is to say she didn't give the child to a relative?" Sheaffer said.
Richardson is being held on $50,000 bail. If charges aren't filed in 30 days, she can walk out of jail without any bail, but prosecutors have 175 days from her arrest to file charges.
Cox Media Group
