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Judge orders drug treatment for mom who left baby in box

One day shy of the one-year anniversary of leaving her newborn baby on a North Philadelphia sidewalk in a cardboard box, Patricia Crawley learned her legal fate.

One day shy of the one-year anniversary of leaving her newborn baby on a North Philadelphia sidewalk in a cardboard box, Patricia Crawley learned her legal fate.

Crawley, 34, a confessed crack cocaine addict, will be immediately paroled to the New Directions drug rehabilitation program for 11 1/2to 23 months followed by having to report to a probation officer for seven years, Common Pleas Judge Alice Beck Debow ruled Thursday.

In addition, the judge ordered that Crawley must perform 80 hours of community service and receive vocational training.

Her daughter, who came to be known as "Baby Noel," was saved Dec. 21 when a man heard her crying inside the box in front of a day care center on 27th Street near Cumberland in North Philadelphia.

Crawley, who was convicted during an October trial of child endangerment, recklessly endangering another person and simple assault, could have been sentenced to 7 to 14 years in state prison.

Assistant District Attorney Tiffany Oldfield asked for a sentence of 2 1/2to five years, noting that Crawley left her child in a box on trash pickup day. Defense attorney Patrick Link asked for drug treatment.

Crawley, filled with remorse and emotion, wept and declined to speak during the hearing.

Judge Debow said that despite being high on crack she tried to do the right thing by wrapping the child in blankets and leaving her in front of the day-care center.

The baby, found with her umbilical cord still attached, is healthy and being raised by a relative, sources confirmed.

Link said it is his understanding that Crawley has given up her parental rights to the child.

"Her life has been ravaged by drugs since her teenage years," he said, noting that her crack habit was costing her $200 to $300 a day.

"It spiraled out of control to this point. She's grateful that the baby wasn't harmed and that she's going to have the opportunity to treat this illness that she has."

Crawley had been in jail since being arrested in February. She was found not guilty of attempted murder and aggravated assault at her October trial.

" @MensahDean