Iraq baby with spina bifida on way to U.S.

BAGHDAD, Dec. 30 (UPI) -- Georgia National Guard soldiers who found a baby with spina bifida during a raid in Baghdad have arranged for her to go to the United States for treatment.

Baby Noor and her father and grandmother flew out of Baghdad Friday, headed for Atlanta by way of Kuwait, CNN reported.

Soldiers first encountered the 3-month-old girl in a Baghdad home three weeks ago during a routine "knock and search" raid. The grandmother showed them the baby, whose spinal column has failed to close completely.

The parents had been told Noor would live for little more than another month without treatment.

"I saw this child as the firstborn child of the young mother and father, and really, all I could think of was my five children back at home and my young daughter," Lt. Jeff Morgan told CNN. "And I knew if I had the opportunity whatsoever to save my daughter's life, I would do everything possible."

The baby's last name is not being published to protect her family from insurgents.