Police were still searching Wednesday for the mother of a newborn baby who was left in a shirt and a bath towel on the doorstep of a southern Alberta home.

"We just want to find the mom," said Medicine Hat police spokeswoman Cpl. Sandy Mahon. "It's our No. 1 concern to make sure she's OK and healthy."

She said police don't know if the mother needs medical attention and are focusing their efforts on finding her by checking motels, hotels and homes in the area.

Mahon said it's too early to tell if charges would be laid.

A neighbour was working in her yard on a quiet, tree-lined street Tuesday when she heard the cries of the abandoned boy, believed to be 24 to 36 hours old.

The residents of the house were on vacation, said Mahon. It was warm and sunny at the time.

The baby was taken to the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital, just two blocks from the house, where he was found to be in good health.

Mahon said no witnesses had come forward.

Last month, a newborn was abandoned in the washroom of a Wal-Mart store in Prince Albert, Sask., but the mother came forward a few days later.