A Saskatchewan woman suspected of abandoning her newborn infant in the washroom of a Prince Albert, Sask. Wal-Mart has contacted police.
The woman came forward to police on Friday night, police said in a news release issued Saturday.
"Members of our Criminal Investigation Division have spoken with the mother, she has received medical attention," Sgt. Rhonda Meakin of the Prince Albert Police Service told The Canadian Press.
"She is not in police custody and no charges have been laid at this time," she added.
The woman turned herself the same day police released store security video showing a woman in an oversized dark coat walking into the store -- and leaving just 14 minutes later.
"We're not sure if it was through the media or what made her come forward at this time. But were just very glad she did and (we) were able to start developing more information in regards to this incident," Meakin said.
A Crown prosecutor will ultimately decide if any criminal charges are warranted, she said.
Police didn't provide details about either how the woman contacted them or information about her, other than to say the woman is over 18. CTV reports the woman is believed to be from La Ronge, which lies 325 kilometres north of Saskatoon.
Meakin couldn't say whether the woman wants to be reunited with her son or what may have caused her to abandon the boy.
The story began on Monday in Prince Albert, a city of 40,000 about 140 km north of Saskatoon. A customer discovered the infant in a toilet after first noticing a lot of blood.
"I just thought I'd be nosey and take a peek in and see what happened," said Angela Steib. "And, I seen this little blue thing, and I thought it was a toy. So, I told myself I was gonna look in again and see."
She did, and told herself: "'I think that's a baby in there'."
The store's manager worked to resuscitate the boy until ambulance staff arrived. The child is still in hospital in stable condition.
Since the incident, store staff have raised funds through a barbecue and a donation box inside. Customers have donated things like clothing and a car seat for the infant.
In Prince Albert, opinions were mixed as to whether the woman should be charged or helped.
"I don't know what they'd charge her with but at least charge her with something," Steib said. "And, I'm happy she came forward at least and tell everybody who she was."
A similar case of abandonment occurred earlier this year in Saskatoon.
A man's barking dog prompted him to look out his back door one frigid February day. There, he saw an abandoned newborn.
Police found the mother in that case, but no charges were laid.
With a report from CTV's Kelland Sundahl and files from The Canadian Press
