If it wasn’t for the three teenage girls who heard her cries just in time, this incredible story would have had a much different outcome.
Warning: This article contains distressing images.
The opportunity to be born into a loving family and community was something this baby girl was deprived of. She was discovered just a few hours after birth in a plastic bag with her umbilical cord still attached.
Alan Ragatz, the man who found the baby, described it as a “miracle” that she was found before it was too late.
It was Alan’s three daughters who heard the cries while out for a walk in the forest near their home, as reported by WSB-TV.
“We got our flashlight, drove around, and we thought, ‘that doesn’t sound like an animal,'” said Kayla.
Alan was in disbelief when his daughters returned home, informing him about the baby’s cries. “I said, ‘that’s impossible.’ It must be a deer or raccoon,” Alan recounted.
Upon returning to the forest together, Alan realized that indeed the cries were coming from a child.
“We found the baby wrapped in plastic, and we immediately dialed 112,” Alan recounted. “She was alive, crying, so we saw it as a positive sign. It could have been much worse. My daughters saved her.”
The emergency responders who arrived on the scene provided initial care promptly, and the sheriff commended the family for their swift response.
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“It’s a true blessing that this child was found. Without these citizens, the outcome would have been very different,” Sheriff Ron Freeman stated.
The baby was named India. Despite being amidst twigs and leaves, she showed no visible injuries.
“When we picked her up and warmed her, I could talk to her a little bit,” shared ABC News.
“I wanted to provide comfort,” he continued. “Later on, I realized it might have been her first experience of feeling loved. It was an honor to be able to give her that.”
Following her rescue, thousands of adoption requests poured in. “We literally had thousands of people from across the country expressing interest in adopting India,” said director Tom Rawlings from an adoption center.
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Her recovery and progress were swift. “She has improved significantly and laughs often. She is an easygoing baby who enjoys cuddles and songs, and she is thriving now.”
“Once we find her a permanent home, she will have the opportunity to grow up under a name chosen by her new parents,” Rawlings informed CNN.
Despite her tumultuous start in life, the outpouring of love she received from all sides was heartwarming.
“The tremendous support and love for this child have been overwhelming. It serves as a reminder of the power we have, as an adoption agency, to find love for these children.”
