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Mother released from jail; no sign of 'Baby Willow,' police say

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — The woman Orlando police believe is the mother of the never-found  “Baby Willow" walked out of the Orange County Jail last Wednesday and is now on probation for four years.

Susan Richardson spent eight months in jail. She pleaded no contest to neglect of a child and unlawful desertion of a child, which are third-degree felonies that each carried a penalty of up to 10 years in prison. A judge sentenced her to 51 weeks in jail, but she was released earlier for time served.

Richardson was accused abandoning the newborn shortly after birth in February. The baby girl was born near the Willow Bend Apartments, and police say that’s where the little girl got her nickname.

Police found a placenta, but never found a baby, investigators said.

Richardson admitted to police that she left the baby on a doorstep, but never said where, police said. That prompted water and dumpster searches and that cost the city more than $10,000.

Orlando police has closed the case involving Baby Willow.

“I believe the baby is dead,” said Nicole Brancaccio, 7-Eleven clerk.

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