Baby survives 9 hours buried in the woods, police call it a 'miracle'

A 5-month-old baby boy was found buried in a pile of sticks and debris in the woods. He survived the situation despite being left there for more than nine hours.

The story of the infant is said to be a miracle, according to the police. The baby, who was found in the woods of western Montana wearing wet and soiled clothes, only had few injuries.

Despite suffering through hours of being exposed to the cold weather, the baby is reportedly in good health.

According to the New York Post via Associated Press, Missoula County Sheriff’s deputies were called to respond to an incident around 8 p.m. on July 7th.

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Reports suggested that a man – who was later learned as Francis Crowley - was threatening people in the area of Lolo Hot Springs at the Lolo National Forest.

Crowley was taken into custody by the deputies after he explained that a baby was buried somewhere in the woods.

The authorities were quick to act and formed a search crew consisting of federal, state, and local officials. Together, they searched the forest for six hours.

At around 2:30 a.m. on July 8th, one of the deputies heard a crying baby.

The baby was facing down under the pile of dirt and sticks. He was dressed in a drenched and soiled onesie. At the time, the weather was an unforgiving 46 degrees.

Brenda Bassett, the sheriff’s spokeswoman said, “He suffered some minor scrapes and bruising but overall is in good health.”

The baby was later taken to a hospital. His custody lies on the state Division of Child and Family Services.

As for 32-year-old Crowley, he was charged with criminal endangerment and held on $50,000 bail. The sheriff’s office statement revealed that additional charges were to follow.

The statement continued, ‘For all of us at the sheriff’s office, this is what we call a miracle. For the officers who were present for this event, it’s especially hard knowing what this small baby endured in the last 24 hours.’

Until now, Crowley’s relationship with the baby remains unclear.