Missing baby found in tote bag at gas station, woman charged

Authorities found a missing six-day-old baby Friday morning in West Branch.

Kayden Powell was found at 10:15 a.m., Friday, in a plastic crate, wrapped in blankets at a BP station, 401 Parkside Dr., West Branch, just off the Interstate 80 exit. The child is said to be in excellent health.

Wisconsin authorities said the child, Kayden Powell, is in an Iowa hospital and would not say when he would be returned to his family.

“Oh it’s awesome to be honest with you that’s not what I expected,” said West Branch Police Chief Mike Horihan.

Powell was discovered by Horihan around 10:00AM outside of the BP Gas Station off of Interstate 80. He says he found the baby wrapped in a blanket laying inside a plastic bin.

This discovery comes as a shock to BP Manager Jay Patel, who had no prior knowledge of the missing baby until the police chief walked into his store.

“I said sure look around. He look outside, then within a couple of minutes he came back and he say he found the baby,” said Patel.

But even more surprising, was the infant’s condition in these frigid temperatures.

“The baby seemed to be healthy breathing fine, conscious, responsive,” said Horihan.

Powell was taken to the University of Iowa Hospital and has already been released. He is in good condition and is heading home with his parents.

Something folks say is nothing short of a miracle.

“So excited about the baby was still alive, I had a tear in my eyes when I heard the news,” said Patel. “It was a very very great day to find the baby alive and apparently well,” said Horihan.

The baby’s Aunt Kristen Smith is being charged with kidnapping and taking the baby across state lines.

“I just want my great nephew back from that broad, woman, mystery chick, whoever she might be.”

Agencies/Canadajournal