Nearly 500 Ask About Adopting 3-Pound, 13-Ounce Girl Left at Long Island Firehouse, Nonprofit Says

A baby girl left outside a firehouse on Thanksgiving has captured the hearts of hundreds of people who are now clamoring to adopt the child. 

Long Island-based nonprofit Child of Hope Safe Haven Foundation has received nearly 500 calls and emails from people inquiring about adopting Baby Hope, the 3-pound, 13-ounce newborn left at a Wantagh fire station on Thanksgiving, the organization said Wednesday. 

The foundation said it has fielded a flood of interest in the case of the baby girl, who was left at the firehouse after a representative of the mother called the nonprofit to coordinate the drop-off. 

"This was an enlightenment of the public, they're in holiday spirits, in holiday moods and this child was blessed," Children of Hope founder Tim Jaccard said.

The Nassau County Department of Social Services will ultimately be responsible for finding the baby a new home. 

However, the Department will not choose from any of the recent callers. Rather, they'll select from about a dozen certified families, some of whom have been waiting years for a child. 

"This is going to be an extra special holiday present," Nassau County Department of Social Services spokesperson Karen Garber said.

The department is hoping all the other families who phoned about adopting Hope will join the certification process so they can help other babies in need in the future.

Baby Hope is described as playful and healthy despite being born premature.

She will remain under evaluation at a local hospital until she weighs more than four pounds, and then will live with the chosen family for six months before the process of adoption begins.

Because the mother followed the regulations set forth by the state's safe haven laws, she won't face any charges. 

The baby appears to be the 15th unwanted newborn saved in New York this year, according to Children of Hope.