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Medford police say a fentanyl-addicted woman admitted to secretly giving birth at home instead of at a hospital last month because she feared Oregon child-protective workers would take custody of the newborn, just like they’d done with her three other children, whom she said also had had drugs in their systems.

Acting on a tip Monday, police arrived at the home of the baby’s mother and father — Samantha Michelle Davis and Mitra Osho Orescan — to find the 12-day-old in such dire condition that a nurse who later assessed him estimated he likely was a few days away from death. The baby weighed less than 4.5 pounds and had a gray skin tone, a “severe festering diaper rash” and infections in his mouth, eyes and thumb, according to a probable cause affidavit. Police said they also found a baggie with fentanyl next to the baby’s pacifier.

Davis said the boy hadn’t eaten for days and knew he was losing weight, the affidavit said.

Tuesday, police arrested Davis and Orescan, both 34, on allegations of first-degree criminal mistreatment and fentanyl possession. Davis also was charged with first- and second-degree assault, supplying contraband and cocaine possession. The last two charges appear to be related to the alleged discovery of drugs that a deputy at the Jackson County Jail said Davis hid in her body and bra. Davis remained in jail Friday in lieu of $500,000 bail, while Orescan was released from jail due to overcrowding.

Neither has entered a plea yet. They also hadn’t been assigned public defenders as of Thursday. Davis and Orescan couldn’t be reached for comment.

According to the affidavit, police learned of the newborn’s circumstances after a woman who said she visited Davis’ and Orescan’s home to buy drugs claimed she saw the baby malnourished, screaming in pain and in need of immediate medical attention.

Police said they resorted to getting a warrant to search the home after they’d initially shown up to the home and no one answered the door.

The baby was rushed to Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center, then flown by helicopter to a Portland hospital for more intensive care, the affidavit says. He tested positive for fentanyl.

According to the affidavit, Davis told police she used fentanyl during her pregnancy and had used meth laced with fentanyl on the day he was born. Davis said she gave birth to the baby at home because she knew he had drugs in his system and was certain the Oregon Department of Human Services would take him away if she went to the hospital, like it did with her other children.

Davis’ first three children live with her sister, who has custody, according to the affidavit. Court papers didn’t say where the newborn now resides.