A livery cab driver who claimed that a man had abandoned a baby in his vehicle was arrested and charged Saturday for making the story up.

Klever Sailema was charged with filing a false report and endangering the welfare of a child.

He had told police he picked up a man with the six-month-old baby girl near 106th Street and Northern Boulevard in East Elmhurst Thursday. He said the man vanished after he got out of the cab to make a phone call.

Sailema brought the child to a firehouse in Corona. From there, she was taken to St. John's Hospital.

Police now say that Sailema was involved in a plot orchestrated by the family of the baby's father.

Police have also charged Maria Siavichay, Sailema's girlfriend and the sister of the baby's father, with child endangerment. Marcelo Vinansaca, Siavichay's roomate, has been charged with obstruction of justice.

Police say Sailema and Siavichay took part in leaving the child in the cab. They say Vinansaca gave false information to police.

Police are still searching for the baby's father. Police say the baby's mother, who is 14 years old, will not likely face charges because of her age.

Sailema was being hailed as a hero for bringing the baby in. He also received a $300 check from the New York Federation of Taxi Drivers and was set to be recognized by the Taxi and Limousine Commission in March.

During a press conference Saturday afternoon, Fernando Mateo of the New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers said that he continues to support Sailema. He said that he believes Sailema did the right thing by taking the baby to a safe place. Mateo said he would even be willing to pay the driver's bail.

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