Sanitation workers caught the heart-wrenching moment on video when they saved a newborn baby from a trash bag. This happened in Rio de Janeiro just moments before the baby would've been crushed with the other garbage.
Videos by Wide Open Country
Per the Daily Mail, the Brazilian news outlet G1 spoke to Samuel Santos about the shocking moment they found the newborn. This worker was collecting garbage early Tuesday between the neighborhoods of Quintino and Cascadura. He threw a trash can into the garbage truck before noticing what he thought looked like a "doll" wrapped in a blanket.
Newborn Baby Saved From Trash By Sanitation Workers
Thinking it would be the perfect gift for his daughter, he touched one of the hands and was stunned to hear it cry. This was something that sanitation worker Anderson Nunes hadn't ever witnessed during his 16 years of work.
Nunes revealed to the outlet that they named the baby girl Vitória. "Let's hope they find her family," he said. "If they do, I'll be visiting them no matter what."
Soon after, they managed to bring the newborn to Herculano Pinheiro Maternity Hospital. Luckily, she is now in stable condition, and the sanitation workers are glad to have saved a baby's life that day.
The good news is that Vitória will likely have a family soon. Santos and his wife have been figuring out a way to adopt the baby. Currently, they have a 10-year-old and a 14-year-old, but they have already managed to put a room together for her.
Although his wife jumped at the chance to immediately adopt her, it'll take some time before that can happen. "I had to tell her that she couldn't take her home without going through the courts," said Santos.
"I want to tell the story of how she was found, so that she doesn't get lost in the world," he continued. "But for now, I'm going to wait for all the procedures to be completed before filing the claim."
Before the Rio de Janeiro Child and Youth Court can put her up for adoption, they must wait for her to be fully healthy. After that, the hospital can Vitória and put her in foster care. Meanwhile, the court has to figure out who the newborn's biological parents and immediate family members are. By that point, if no one takes her in, they can put her up for adoption.
