Abandoned baby found in front of Manhattan building: NYPD

CHELSEA, Manhattan (PIX11) — A woman has been charged after an abandoned baby boy was found in front of a Manhattan building early Thursday, police said.

Two doormen found the newborn on the sidewalk in front of 515 West 23rd St. by the High Line in Chelsea at around 3:20 a.m., according to the NYPD. The apartment building is across the street from an EMS/FDNY station.

The boy had no clothes on and the umbilical cord was still attached, police said. The newborn was conscious and alert and had no signs of physical injuries.

One of the doormen walked up to an ambulance pulling to the curb under the High Line and knocked on the window. EMT Mia Chin ensured the baby was fine before she and her partner sped the baby boy to Bellevue Hospital, according to the FDNY.

Ayata Swan was arrested around 1:30 p.m., police said. She was charged with abandonment of a child.

Under the state’s Abandoned Infant Protection Act , a parent can safely abandon a baby up to 30 days old without worrying about being prosecuted. There is no crime if the baby is left with authorities or medical personnel, like at a hospital or police and fire stations, officials said.

Parents can also call 1-877-796-HOPE (4673) for help.

Mira Wassef is a digital reporter who has covered news and sports in the NYC area for more than a decade. She joined PIX11 News in 2022. See more of her work here.

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