Dad of baby left at fire station wants custody

A man claiming to be the father of a baby left at a Houston fire station earlier this week has come forward and wants to take custody, according to Child Protective Services.

CPS spokeswoman Estella Olguin said the man contacted the organization Wednesday and told officials he did not initially know the baby had been surrendered. The man is the mother's boyfriend and lives with her, Olguin said.

The 8-month-old boy was released from the hospital Wednesday and is in a foster home. Olguin said the organization is awaiting DNA test results confirming the man is the father before proceeding with custody hearings.

The baby was abandoned Monday at Houston Fire Department Station 39 in northeast Houston. The mother, who attended an emergency custody hearing on Tuesday, told officials that she was unable to take care of the child and wishes to leave the boy in foster care.

Because of the baby's age, the mother is not protected under the "Baby Moses" law, a state statute which allows parents to leave infants up to 60 days old at a hospital, fire station or ambulance station without fear of prosecution. A Houston Police Department spokesperson said no charges had been filed.