A newborn baby girl was discovered abandoned in a tote bag outside a Bronx apartment building early Sunday morning, prompting an urgent police investigation to locate whoever left her there.
The incident unfolded around 6 a.m. when officers from the New York Police Department responded to a 911 call reporting a crying baby outside 1102 Reverend James Polite Avenue, according to law enforcement sources. Upon arrival, officers spoke with the caller and were directed to the location where the cries were heard.
There, inside an abandoned tote bag, they found the infant wrapped in a blanket. Despite the cold conditions, the baby appeared unharmed and was immediately attended to by emergency medical services.
The newborn girl was transported to NYC Health and Hospitals/Jacobi, where she was reported to be in stable condition, police confirmed.
Police Investigation Underway
Authorities are now working to identify and locate the individual or individuals responsible for abandoning the baby. Investigators are reviewing nearby surveillance footage and speaking with local residents to piece together what happened.
“This is a heartbreaking situation, but thankfully, the baby is safe and receiving care,” a police spokesperson said. “We are asking anyone with information to come forward.”
Abandoning a newborn in unsafe conditions is a criminal offense in New York. However, the state’s Safe Haven Law allows parents to leave a baby at designated locations, such as hospitals, fire stations, or police precincts, without facing legal consequences, provided the infant is unharmed.
Community Reaction
The discovery has sparked shock and concern among residents in the Bronx neighborhood.
“It’s devastating to think someone could leave a baby like that,” said Maria Gonzalez, a mother of three who lives nearby. “At least there are safe places where you can leave a baby if you can’t take care of them. This could have ended so much worse.”
Another resident, James Walker, commended the quick response of law enforcement and EMS. “Thank God someone heard the crying and called 911. That baby could have been out there for hours in the cold,” he said.
Raising Awareness
The incident has reignited calls for greater awareness of the Safe Haven Law, which was enacted to prevent such situations. Under the law, parents in crisis can anonymously leave their baby, up to 30 days old, at a safe location without facing prosecution.
Advocates say more needs to be done to ensure that parents in distress are aware of their options.
“Education about Safe Haven laws should be a priority,” said Sarah Harper, a child welfare advocate. “It’s crucial that people know there are safe and legal alternatives to abandonment.”
Next Steps
As the investigation continues, the baby girl remains in the care of medical professionals. Child Protective Services is expected to oversee her welfare and determine the next steps in finding a suitable home for her.
Anyone with information regarding the incident is urged to contact the NYPD Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).