Newborn abandoned on Dickinson porch improves

A newborn left on a Dickinson porch earlier this week is in fair condition today at Clear Lake Hospital in Webster and is continuing to improve, officials said.

"He's doing better," Child Protective Services spokeswoman Gwen Carter said.

The boy was found in a tool bag at 9:11 a.m. Tuesday by Juan Renovato when he stepped outside to smoke a cigarette. He immediately brought the child inside and his son called police.

The Galveston County Sheriff's investigators have named the newborn in the spirit of the holiday season.

"Hey, it's Christmas," sheriff's spokesman Maj. Ray Tuttoilmondo said. "We thought Nicholas would be a good name."

The child appeared to be just hours old, Tuttoilmondo said. He said the child was likely left on the porch between 5 a.m., when Renovato's wife left for work, and 9 a.m., when he was found.

Carter said hospital staff reported Nicholas has been taken off oxygen and hoped that he would begin taking formula within 24 hours. Carter said that he should be able to leave the hospital in one or two weeks.

"If his mother doesn't come forward, he will be placed in a foster home," Carter said.

In response to numerous calls from people wanting to help the infant, Carter said she is working with the CPS board to set up an account where donations can be sent.

aimee.buras@chron.com