( CNN ) -- A 27-year-old mother surrendered her baby girl to firefighters in Los Angeles on Christmas Eve , authorities said Saturday . She told firefighters at Fire Station 46 that the newborn was just 6 hours old . The firefighters accepted the girl , wrapping her in a blanket . She was healthy and did not appear to have been neglected or abused . Firefighters named the newborn Noel , in honor of the Christmas holiday , said Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Erik Scott . `` We are happy to state that our last report was that the infant was very healthy , and we are moved that this potentially tragic incident had a pleasant outcome , '' he said . `` There was a sense of relief . '' Both the baby and mother were given identification bracelets . The infant was taken to an area hospital , Scott said , and would be placed in protective custody . In California , a parent or legal guardian can surrender a newborn at fire stations and hospital emergency rooms with no fear of arrest . The law is meant to protect infants from being hurt , neglected or killed .
A baby was surrendered on Christmas Eve at a Los Angeles fire station . The 27-year-old mother said the girl was only 6 hours old , a fire spokesman says . She is healthy and will be placed in protective custody , he adds . In California , a parent can drop off a newborn at fire stations with no fear of arrest .