Woman who gave baby to stranger arrested

Police have arrested a woman who allegedly handed over her baby boy to a stranger on the streets of North Philadelphia this weekend and then walked away.

Sharon Rivera, 24, was seen on Lawrence Street near Indiana Avenue around 10:30 p.m. Friday in an incapacitated state, possibly under the influence of drugs or alcohol, Special Victims Unit Capt. John Darby said. Rivera had her 2-month old son, who was not properly clothed, with her at the time, Darby said.

When a woman approached Rivera to ask if she wanted to come inside of her house and get herself together, Rivera allegedly handed the stranger her baby and walked away, never to return.

The stranger cared for the child overnight and called authorities around 8:25 a.m. Saturday to report the incident. The baby was taken to St. Christopher's Hospital for children to be examined before being turned over to the custodial care of the Department of Human Services, police said.

Rivera, whose last known address was Arizona Street near 10th, was located with the assistance of family members, Darby said. She was subsequently charged with endangering the welfare of a child and recklessly endangering another person.