Georgia Deputy Recalls Rescuing Newborn Baby Girl Who Was Wrapped in Plastic Bag

June 28, 2019
When Forsyth County Deputy Terry Roper peeled back the plastic bag wrapped around an abandoned newborn and cradled her in his arms, he became the first person to show her love.

FORSYTH COUNTY, Georgia -- When Georgia officer Terry Roper peeled back the plastic bag wrapped around an abandoned newborn and cradled her in his arms, he became the first ever person to show her love.

The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Deputy during an appearance on Good Morning America Wednesday opened up about the moment he rescued the wailing child from an isolated wooded area in Cumming earlier this month.

“When we were able to pick her up, wrap her up, get her a little warm, I was able to talk to her a little bit,” Roper said.

“I wanted to give her comfort. A little bit later I realized it was the first time she had felt love, and I felt honored to be able to give her that.”

Roper was first on the scene after authorities received a 911 call regarding an abandoned infant on the night of June 6. Sisters Kyler and Kayla Ragatz had been unpacking a trailer nearby when they heard what they first thought was a meowing cat.

The pair eventually decided to get flashlights and check out the source of the sound with the rest of their family. When they did finally come across the newborn, Kyler said she immediately started “bawling.”

“It was just so emotional,” she added. “I was angry, scared, sad.”

The newborn, who officials named Baby India, was still covered in fluids with her umbilical cord attached. Authorities said it’s likely the infant was born just hours earlier.

The sheriff’s office on Tuesday released Roper’s bodycam footage from the scene with the hopes of getting more information in the case – including Baby India’s identity and who left her alone in the woods.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” Roper can be heard saying. “Look how previous you are. Yeah, she’s a sweetheart.”

The officer then swaddled Baby India in his shirt before handing her over to paramedics. Officers said Wednesday that Baby India is “thriving” and in the care of the Georgia Department of Family and Children Services.

Authorities emphasized they are still “aggressively” investigating and called on the community to come forward with any information.

“Whoever left this child there did not leave this child with the intent of it being found. We need the public’s help,” Sheriff Ron Freeman told GMA.

“Somebody knows something about Baby India.”

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©2019 New York Daily News

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