Abandoned Newborn Rescued from Field: The Inspiring Journey of Baby Masha

Baby Masha was left on an anthill in a field, but her life was saved. Now, many families are eager to welcome her, including well-known figures Anastasia Kostenko and Dmitry Tarasov. Parents with multiple children dream of giving this little girl a loving family.

For the first few days of her life, Baby Masha was identified only by a hospital tag reading: “Unknown. Born 07/22/2024. Weight: 5.07 lbs.” She was rushed to the hospital by ambulance—premature, suffering from hypothermia due to prolonged exposure on the ground, marked by numerous ant bites, and with delicate skin sunburned from the harsh elements. Her mother abandoned her in a field, hoping she would not survive, but fate intervened.

Now, Masha has become the center of attention not only for medical staff but for many families eager to adopt her. Among them are Anastasia Kostenko and Dmitry Tarasov, parents of several children, who are ready to welcome her into their warm and large family.

From the very beginning, Masha's life was a test of resilience. She lay on an anthill for several hours, nearly succumbing to the bites, but local residents happened to be nearby.

That evening, Nikolai and his wife Anna finished their household chores early and decided to take a walk toward the outskirts of Fatezh, Kursk region. They cannot explain why they headed toward the field, but it seemed fate guided their steps. Passing by, they heard faint cries resembling those of a kitten. Investigating, they found a newborn baby lying on a placenta on the ground.

The umbilical cord was either bitten off or cut with a dull knife, and ants swarmed over her tiny body. Anna quickly brushed the insects away while Nikolai took off his shirt to wrap the baby warmly.

“We started swaddling her because she was cold, such a tiny premature baby. Her umbilical cord was either bitten or cut,” says Anna Fufonova, a local resident.

Other locals soon gathered, wondering who could have abandoned the child so cruelly. Paramedics took Masha to a local hospital and then transferred her to the regional perinatal center in Kursk. Police launched an investigation, collected DNA samples from potential mothers in the area, and soon identified the woman responsible.

The mother, 33-year-old Nadezhda Sorokina, already has three children. She claims to live on child support and said she could not afford a fourth child, which led her to abandon the newborn. Despite offers of help from those aware of her difficult situation, she refused assistance. As her due date approached, people even brought baby supplies, but she declined them.

“She told me, ‘It’s no longer needed.’ When I asked why, she said, ‘He stressed me out. I got nervous and had a miscarriage,’” shared local resident Veronika Dokukina with Ren-TV.

The investigation committee filed charges against Nadezhda for attempted murder, but she was not arrested; instead, she was placed under a travel ban. The father of her three older children is preparing to take custody of them. The identity of Masha’s father remains unknown. The mother has not visited the hospital or shown any interest in her daughter’s fate.

“She does not appear or visit Masha, nor does she inquire about her condition. Since she is charged with attempted murder, she cannot be present here,” said Polina Abezyayeva, Deputy Chief Physician for Pediatric Care.

Baby Masha has captured the hearts of all the medical staff. She is steadily recovering, feeding well, and becoming more active each day.

“The insect bite marks and sunburns are gradually healing. She is gaining weight and loves being held and sung to,” shares Dr. Abezyayeva on her blog.

When Masha was very weak, a priest visited her in the hospital. She was baptized and named Maria, with a patronymic honoring her rescuer—Nikolaevna. On August 5, she celebrated her two-week milestone.

“She has gained 5.3 ounces and grown 1 centimeter. She feels much better. Her skin has fully recovered from insect bites, and the sunburn marks are fading. However, she has grown accustomed to being held and refuses to stay in her crib,” reports the chief neonatologist of the Kursk region.

“When Masha cries, she only calms down when held. Even after being taken out of the crib, she sometimes whimpers before settling. She tries to focus on whoever is speaking to her, though it’s still difficult. In another week, she’ll do this perfectly!” shares Polina Abezyayeva.

The future of baby Masha remains uncertain. The responsibility now lies with child welfare authorities. She will remain under medical supervision at the perinatal center for the foreseeable future.

“It's difficult to predict anything now. We won’t release her until she fully recovers. After that, child welfare agencies will decide her fate. Many families want to adopt her. This story has touched many hearts; people come by bringing gifts for Masha,” says the doctor.

Donations of clothes, hygiene products, and toys for both now and the future keep coming. Medical staff are collecting these items to pass on to Masha’s new family. It is unlikely she will be returned to her biological mother. Neither the father nor other relatives have come forward, but the perinatal center receives numerous calls from hopeful adoptive parents, including single fathers.

On social media, many express that Nikolai’s sister wanted to adopt Masha but was denied by child welfare agencies. Others have faced similar refusals.

“I wanted to adopt this girl, but I was told children from Kursk must stay in Kursk,” commented one prospective adoptive parent.

Authorities confirm they receive dozens of inquiries from people wishing to become Masha’s parents. However, adoption laws and confidentiality rules mean her future family life will likely remain private.

Unless she joins the family of Anastasia Kostenko and Dmitry Tarasov, whose large family and many followers eagerly watch their children grow.

“We feel our family has so much love to give to another child. Many have told me there’s a queue for this little girl, but who knows… Until her biological mother’s parental rights are revoked, nothing is certain. I don’t even know where to start or who to contact,” shares Anastasia, dreaming of becoming Masha’s mother.

Photo credits: social media

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