Police are searching for a woman seen on surveillance footage leaving a newborn baby girl at the base of a stairwell in Manhattan’s busy Penn Station subway during Monday’s morning rush hour. The baby, found around 9:30 a.m., was wrapped in a blanket with her umbilical cord still attached.
The New York Police Department (NYPD) said the baby was placed on the platform at 9:04 a.m. near the entrance to the southbound 1, 2, and 3 trains at the 34th Street-Penn Station stop. After leaving the infant, the woman fled on foot. The child was discovered shortly after by a commuter and emergency services were called. EMS transported the baby to a nearby hospital, where she remains in stable condition.
NYPD released footage of the woman and has asked the public for help identifying her. She is wanted for questioning in the ongoing investigation.
Demetrius Crichlow, president of New York City Transit, praised the rapid response of first responders. “I’m calling it the ‘Miracle on 34th Street,’” Crichlow said. “The FDNY and police department responded, they found a baby that was unattended… just grateful for the work of the NYPD for responding and caring for the baby.”
New York’s Safe Haven law allows newborns up to 30 days old to be legally and safely surrendered at hospitals, firehouses, and police stations. The law was designed to prevent situations like this by offering a safe and anonymous option for distressed parents.
The NYPD encourages anyone with information about the woman’s identity to call the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS.
