Baby Boy With Umbilical Cord Still Attached Abandoned in New York Nativity Manger

A newborn baby boy with its umbilical cord still attached was found abandoned in the Christmas manger at a church in Queens, New York on Monday around 1.30pm.

According to CBSNews, a custodian at the Holy Child of Jesus Church in the Richmond Hill section of Queens left the empty chapel to get lunch around 11:30 a.m. Monday. When he returned shortly after 1 p.m., he heard a baby crying, but saw no one else around.

Police said the custodian turned to a nativity scene in the front of the church and saw a newborn baby wrapped in towels laying in the manger. Police estimate the boy was four to five hours old when he was found.

Church pastor, Christopher Heanue, wrote on the church’s Facebook page that the boy weighed a little more than 5 pounds. He was rushed to Jamaica Hospital for treatment, but was said to be healthy and in stable condition.

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Although New York has a so-called safe haven law that says a newborn can be dropped off anonymously at a church, hospital, police or fire station without fear of prosecution,  the law, known as the Abandoned Infant Protection Act, requires that the child be left with someone or for authorities to be called immediately.

Police said that didn’t happen in this case, therefore, investigation is ongoing to track whoever dropped the child at the church. Authorities are also questioning witnesses find out who the baby’s mother is.