Abandoned-Baby Suspect Worked Near Dumpster

By Dan Bewley and Terry Hood, The News On 6

SAPULPA, OK -- Sapulpa Police detectives say the woman accused of abandoning a newborn baby in a trash dumpster gave birth to the boy in her parent's home.  30-year old Kristina Blackburn has been charged with felony child abuse.

Court documents show how police tracked down Kristina Blackburn.  As they work to unravel why she may have abandoned her baby, child advocates say it never had to get to that point.

The newborn boy was found inside this trash dumpster near the Disabled American Veterans building in Sapulpa.  Court records show the infant was wrapped in a sheet, inside a bag that was zipped closed.    

6/4/2009 Related story: Woman Arrested After Baby Found In Dumpster

Police say a sack from McDonalds next to the bag had evidence pointing to Kristina Blackburn, a part-time employee at the DAV.  Investigators found Blackburn in a home at the end of a dead end street where she lives with her mother. 

She denied the child was hers but, police say, a DNA test confirmed there's a 99.9% chance she's the mother.

Gina Kirby works next door to the DAV.  She was shocked to learn the infant was tossed out with the trash.

"I don't know how a mother could do it. Don't know how," said Gina Kirby of Sapulpa.  "I just don't understand why, why did she do it? It's such a beautiful baby. People are desperate for children. Why did you throw him away?"

Police say evidence found in a home on Pioneer Road indicates where Blackburn gave birth.  Neighbors say the home is owned by Blackburn's parents and they had occasionally seen her on the property.  But, no one knew she was pregnant.         

Police believe Blackburn gave birth in the early morning hours of May 24th, then drove nearly four miles to the trash dumpster.           

Ginger Johnson helps soon-to-be moms come to grips with their pregnancies through the Westside Hope Resource Center.  She says she was horrified by the case.  She was shocked to hear what happened in Sapulpa, but says pregnant women shouldn't think they're in it by themselves

"They're never alone.  We're out there and we're ready to help," said Ginger Johnson with Westside Hope Pregnancy Resource Center.

Investigators say they are still trying to determine who is the father of the baby and whether anyone helped Blackburn either with the birth or leaving him in the trash dumpster.