ST. HELENS, Ore. -- A mother abandoned her newborn baby girl in a toilet at a St. Helens nursing facility, police said Tuesday.

When medics arrived at the Meadow Park Care facility, they found nurses trying to resuscitate the nearly full-term newborn child. The baby was taken to legacy Emanuel Hospital, where she was stabilized and is expected to survive.

Police said their investigation showed the 21-year-old mother, who works at the nursing facility, tried to kill the baby and cover up her existence.

A co-worker found the baby in a toilet around noon on Valentine’s Day. Police said a well-trained nursing staff played a key role in the baby’s survival.

The mother’s baby girl and 3-year-old son have been taken into protective custody by the Oregon Department of Human Services.

The case is expected to be referred to the Columbia County District Attorney later this week.

No arrests have been made. Police said it’s important to note that a parent may leave a newborn child at a hospital, birthing center, sheriff's office, fire station, physician's office or police department under Oregon’s Safe Haven law. The parent isn’t required to provide any identifying information about the infant or the parent.