Newborn found ‘alone in a manger’ of a New York church’s nativity scene
Monday, a newborn was discovered inside the manger of a nativity scene at a New York church with his umbilical cord still attached.
Monday, a newborn was discovered inside the manger of a nativity scene at a New York church with his umbilical cord still attached.
Police believe the boy who was found wrapped in towels by a custodian inside Holy Child Jesus Church in Queens must have been abandoned by his mother around 1:30pm.
According to Pix 11, the custodian told authorities the manger was empty when he left for lunch, and when he returned about an hour later, he heard an infant crying.
“The baby was found in the creche, a sort of manger scene where we would put the baby Jesus during Christmastime,” Reverend Christopher Heanue told the New York Post on Tuesday.
“The baby was brand new,” Heanue continued. “He still had the umbilical cord attached. It’s a beautiful baby boy.”
Under the Safe Haven law, a church is considered a safe haven for leaving an infant within 72 hours of birth. However, someone must be present at the time of the drop off. Surveillance video shows a woman entering the church with a baby and leaving empty-handed.
Heanue says there are families within the parish who have already shown interest in wanting to adopt the 5lb and 2oz baby, who was transported to Jamaica Hospital.
On Facebook, he wrote asking for prayers for the newborn.
“Let us pray,” the reverend wrote on Facebook. “For this child, for his parents and for whomever will receive him into their home.”
The child is listed in good condition, and authorities are searching for his mother.
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