THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, October 11, 1995 TAG: 9510110692
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LARRY W. BROWN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 75 lines
Baby Matthew Leigh gurgled, squirmed and yawned, seemingly oblivious to the microphones and cameras hovering around him during a news conference Tuesday.
The 5 1/2-day-old baby, who was abandoned in Sentara Leigh Hospital's parking lot early Friday morning, was wheeled out in a bassinet before being released to the Department of Social Services.
``Life has dealt him a tough blow,'' said Susan Scarlott, a registered nurse who began caring for Matthew on Friday morning. ``God was looking out for him.''
Norman Smith, a hospital security officer, discovered the baby in a bag about 12:26 a.m. Friday. The bag was in a well-lighted section of the parking lot behind the hospital.
Police have been searching for his mother ever since.
On Tuesday, Matthew, clad in a blue and white jumper adorned with moons and stars, cracked a slight smile and then cried briefly.
``He fusses when he gets hungry,'' Scarlott said while rocking him in her arms. ``He's a good baby.''
And a healthy one.
Scarlott said the boy - who was 3 to 4 hours old and weighed 6 pounds, 15 ounces when he was found - suffered no ill effects from being left outside.
He has developed quite a fan club, including Scarlott.
``The public has been generous,'' she said. The stuffed musical bunny and other toys in his bassinet were gifts, as were Matthew's clothes and a car seat.
Deborah Myers, a spokeswoman for Sentara, said the hospital has been flooded with calls from people wanting to adopt, feed and clothe the baby. One woman offered just to rock him. All calls should be directed to the Child Protective Services Hotline at 664-6022.
Scarlott and another nurse decided to name him Matthew - which in Hebrew means ``a gift from God'' - and Leigh, for the hospital. She said she has developed a bond with the child.
``I just hope he has a nice, healthy life,'' said Scarlott, the mother of a 16-year-old. ``This is a nice little boy and he's going to be a joy.''
At the news conference, police displayed the brown, imitation-leather zip-up bag in which the boy was discovered. Police spokesman Larry Hill said the bag, which has two handles and a shoulder strap, was fairly new, with the paper packaging still inside.
The bag, made by Generation Sport, had been unzipped when Matthew was found.
Police have responded to several phone calls, Hill said, but have no definite leads. They remain optimistic, he said.
``We would encourage either parent . . . to reconsider,'' he said.
Hill said there are many alternatives to abandonment. Doctors and agencies such as Social Services can provide information on adoption and foster homes, he said.
Matthew, who police said appears to be of mixed race, may be in foster care for some time.
Police are asking anyone with information to call Crime Line at 664-4040 or the Child Protective Services Hotline. MEMO: For INFOLINE updates, dial 640-5555, category 4900.
ILLUSTRATION: MOTOYA NAKAMURA/Staff color photos
``He's a good baby,'' says Susan Scarlott, a registered nurse who
has been caring for Matthew at Sentara Leigh Hospital since he was
found Friday morning. ``I just hope he has a nice, healthy life.
This is a nice little boy and he's going to be a joy.''
The imitation-leather bag in which Matthew was found still had
packing paper inside.
KEYWORDS: ABANDONED BABIES & CHILDREN by CNB