OAKLAND -- The Oakland Police Department is reporting that witnesses saw the mother of a newborn baby found dead on a sidewalk Friday afternoon give birth on the sidewalk and walk away, leaving the newborn on the ground in a pool of blood.

Homicide detectives were called to investigate the death of the newborn, whose body was discovered in the 1400 block of 65th Avenue around 4:30 p.m., an Oakland police officer reported.

Police said officers detained the mother blocks away from the birth and admitted her to a hospital.

Paramedics pronounced the infant dead at the scene, according to the officer.

The case is being treated as a homicide, pending the coroner's report, the officer said.