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Charges to be dropped in case of baby left with bus driver

BETHLEHEM (AP) — An eastern Pennsylvania prosecutor says he will recommend dismissal of charges against a woman authorities said handed her 1-month-old baby to a bus driver and walked away in tears.

Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli said Wednesday that 26-year-old Ashley Walters “clearly has some mental health issues.” He said she had displayed combative and erratic behavior and would be involuntarily committed for treatment.

Walters was charged with child endangerment after authorities said she boarded a bus in Bethlehem, placed her son on the farebox and told the driver to call police because “this was her son that she can’t take care of.”

Pennsylvania’s Safe Haven Law allows babies up to 28 days old to be left at a hospital or police station. Morganelli said Walters’ baby was 32 days old.