Two Newborns Found Abandoned in Guatemala Streets as Child-Protection Officials Seek Families

In the Palmar 2 district of Santa Lucía Cotzumalguapa, Escuintla, a resident found an abandoned infant lying in the street dust and showing signs of severe physical distress. The baby was taken at once to a local hospital, where staff began intensive care, including thermal support, antibiotics and close monitoring of vital signs.

Almost at the same time, in Nuevo San Carlos, Retalhuleu, another newborn—only hours old and still attached to the umbilical cord—was left on a public street. Emergency teams moved quickly to stabilize the infant with a warming bed and intravenous fluids.

Guatemala’s Attorney General’s Office (Procuraduría General de la Nación, PGN) is handling both cases. Officials said they had not located suitable biological relatives for the first baby and were waiting for hospital discharge before requesting urgent protection measures. The same process is under way for the second infant.

If no family can be found, both children are expected to be placed in protective care homes. A judge may later declare them eligible for adoption.

The two cases add to a wider pattern of infants and children found abandoned in public places. PGN regional offices in Escuintla and Retalhuleu are following the infants in hospital and will seek court protection once they are medically cleared.

Source: Procuraduría General de la Nación (PGN), Guatemala, official notice: “Bebé que fue abandonado en Escuintla se recupera, mientras otro recién nacido es abandonado en Retalhuleu,” August 30, 2023.