Lodi Police Department has reported the arrest of a 29-year-old woman, Kathryn Copeland, in connection with the death of a newborn found in a parking lot. The discovery was made near the intersection of Tokay and Sacramento streets in Lodi shortly after 11:30 a.m. on Thursday. Emergency services pronounced the infant deceased upon arrival. According to a KCRA interview with a store employee in the vicinity, the body was spotted by a coworker during his lunch break.
Local fire officials reminded residents of the Safe Surrender law that provides an alternative for parents unable to care for their newborns, ensuring the child’s safety. A Lodi Fire Battalion Chief, Michael Alegre, detailed the process, saying, "We give them a bracelet for the child and the mother. A serial number, if you will," while discussing the potential for reclaiming the child within a 14-day window, was captured by CBS Sacramento.
Nonprofits in the Lodi area, such as One-Eighty, actively support at-risk individuals. Jake McGregor, executive director of One-Eighty, emphasized the availability of resources and assistance. "There's always hope. There's always resources. There's always help," McGregor told CBS Sacramento. This incident calls to mind a similar case from 2022, when a young mother in Lodi was accused in the death of her newborn.
