Clothing was packed around it to muffle any sounds and baking soda placed inside to mask the stench of dirty diapers.

Authorities said the baby's mother, Chrystina Mercer, gave the infant to babysitter Susan Baker early Saturday, then reported her missing about 10 hours later. About 100 law enforcement agents and others spent days scouring around the baby's home in a remote, makeshift community of tin-roof shacks and old mobile homes.

All along, the baby was under the bed.

Washington County Sheriff Bobby Haddock choked up Thursday as he described how Shannon Dedrick, 7 months, was stashed in the box for 12 straight hours before investigators discovered her late Wednesday. They say she had been in the closed box on and off for several days. "She was way back under the bed," Haddock said, "but she was not crying."

Baker had written a letter to Gov. Charlie Crist's office in August, pleading for help for the baby and claiming her father shook her and both parents did drugs in front of her. She asked Mercer a week ago if she could have permanent custody, Haddock said. Officials do not suspect Shannon's father, who is Baker's stepbrother, was involved in the disappearance.

Haddock said Shannon apparently had been fed and cared for while she was with Baker, who lived about 12 miles from Mercer. He said Baker became a suspect several days ago but never told them where the baby was, even as they interviewed her.

Shannon appeared healthy, much to the relief of investigators.

"Once we got to the hospital, five or six of us called our wives to let them know that we found the child, and a lot of grown men were shedding tears," Haddock said.

Mercer's mother, Candis Boyer, attended a news conference Thursday and said afterward that she was there to show support for her daughter and granddaughter. "I love my daughter very deeply," she said.

Mercer was charged with interference of child custody, desertion of a child and several other charges. Charges against Baker included neglect of a child with aggravated circumstances and interference of child custody.

Bond was set at $150,000 for Baker and $75,000 for Mercer.

The judge told Mercer she couldn't have contact with her daughter, who was in state custody, if she posts bond.

Baker's husband, James Arthur Baker, was arrested Wednesday night but released. He is under investigation, Haddock said.

Enlarge Florida Department of Law Enforcement via AP The baby girl was found in a 2-by-3-foot cedar box.