LODI, Calif. — The Lodi community came together to remember and honor a newborn infant who was found dead earlier this week.
Complete strangers brought candles, flowers, and toys to grieve the loss of a child.
"My kids came to my mind and knowing that somebody discovered the baby on their lunch break is just tragic," said Dawn Tolang, who helped organize the vigil. “It is amazing how the community came together.”
The vigil took place just few feet away from where the newborn infant was found dead in a business parking lot.
“I was shocked. I thought this was the first time it had happened until I was enlightened by an attendee tonight that it had happened before,” said Denise Defalco, who helped put together the vigil.
Lodi Police say it got a call Thursday morning near Tokay and Sacramento streets.
Employees at a nearby business tell ABC10 they were sitting in a parking lot when they spotted the body of the newborn baby on the concrete.
“What we are doing right now is not working. And this is an example of that,” said Defalco.
Lodi Police announced the person suspected behind the crime is 28-year-old Kathryn Grace Copeland. She is facing a misdemeanor charge of, conceal or to attempting to conceal an accidental death.
The specific details surrounding this incident have not been released. But community members say something more might have been at play if the mother felt leaving a newborn infant in the parking lot was her only choice.
“I just hope she gets help. It is awful,” said Tolang.
“Everyone has been touched by somebody that has had an issue in the, in the addiction field,” said Defalco. “We just need to pull together and figure this out.”
Copeland remains in the San Joaquin County Jail on a 5,000 bail and is due in court Tuesday.
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