A shocking discovery was made early this morning at Manhattan’s Penn Station – 34th Street when commuters found a newborn baby girl abandoned on a subway platform during the morning rush hour.
According to the New York City Police Department (NYPD), officers responded after a commuter alerted station staff to the infant, who was wrapped in a blanket and left near a pillar on the platform. Emergency services quickly arrived, and the baby was taken to Bellevue Hospital, where doctors confirmed that she is in stable condition and receiving medical care.
“The child appears to be only a few days old,” an NYPD spokesperson said. “We’re reviewing station surveillance footage to determine who left her there and at what time.”
Authorities emphasized that under New York’s “Safe Haven” law, parents who cannot care for a newborn can legally surrender the baby at a hospital, police precinct, or fire station — without facing criminal charges — as long as the infant is left safely with a responsible adult. Leaving a baby unattended in a public area, however, is considered child endangerment and is a criminal offense.
Investigators are now analyzing security camera footage from multiple angles in Penn Station, one of the city’s busiest transit hubs, which serves hundreds of thousands of riders each day. Officers are also checking nearby entrances and exits for evidence that could lead to the identity of the person who abandoned the child.
Commuters at the station expressed a mix of sadness and relief. “It’s heartbreaking that someone felt they had no choice but to leave their baby,” said one witness. “But thank God she’s safe and will be cared for.”
Child welfare services have been notified, and the baby is expected to be placed under the supervision of the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) while the investigation continues.
The incident has reignited debate in the city over awareness of Safe Haven laws, access to maternal care, and the need for stronger social support systems for vulnerable parents.
