MIKE GLENN
Houston Chronicle
Reprinted with Permission

A 9-month-old boy who was left at a southwest Houston fire station last month will remain in foster care after none of his relatives showed up Monday at a court hearing, officials said.

“It was uncontested so we've got custody of the baby,” said Estella Olguin with Children's Protective Services.

Olguin said the child's mother is 17 and apparently unable to provide Baby Jayden with adequate care. Caseworkers also have reached out to the child's other relatives without success.

“No one has asked to be looked at as a possible placement,” Olguin said.

Olguin said his custody will be reviewed in six months. If there is no change from Jayden's mother or other family members, CPS officials may seek to have him placed in a permanent home.

“If the mom can't take care of him, that will speed up the process,” Olguin said.

Jayden was dropped off April 20 at Houston Fire Station No. 68, 8602 Bissonnet, by a man who said he had been watching the child for almost a week but didn't know what to do. The man told authorities that Jayden belonged to a friend of his girlfriend.

“It looks like (Jayden's mother) relied on several people to help her,” Olguin said. “She did, at least, seek help.”

Olguin said Jayden did not appear to have been abused or malnourished when he was later examined at the hospital.

Olguin said CPS officials are still hoping to find Jayden's father to determine if he or his relatives are able to provide a home for him.

mike.glenn@chron.com