Barber, Erick Keeton was with a client when he spotted a car seat in the middle of the carpark outside his California salon.
He walked over to it and was shocked to find a newborn baby still inside.
He immediately called the police who used surveillance footage to discover that he had been abandoned by his father.
The footage captures a man driving up to a parking place, taking the baby seat out of the car, placing it on the ground and then driving away.
Keeton told local news station, KCRA, "I noticed he had his binky, he was wrapped up in a blanket. It is just heartbreaking and nothing I've ever seen in my life"
The baby's dad, 18-year-old, Daniel Stephen Mitchell, was involved in a car crash nearby and came to the attention of the police. He was identified as the newborn's father and arrested. He is now being charged with hit-and-run, child endangerment, child abandonment, committing a felony while on bail and possession of suspected cocaine.
Police said the newborn was taken to a hospital as a precaution, but it is believed his condition is now critical. It is not clear why the 16-day-old's health is in such a precarious state. The baby was only in the car-park for two minutes before he was found.
The boy's mother was unaware of her husband's plans and is not facing any charges.
The Mail Online reports that she asked friends to 'pray for my son' as he recovers in hospital.
Watch the full video here:
