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Woman who abandoned baby in nativity manger will not be charged

A woman who ditched her newborn baby at a nativity scene in New York will not be charged, police said.

Under New York state law, a parent may abandon a newborn anonymously as long as they believe the baby will be safe.

"The mother followed the spirit of New York's 'Safe Haven' Law which allows a parent to leave a child not older than 30 days with an appropriate person or in a suitable location," Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said.

The newborn - with his umbilical cord still attached - was found lying in a manger at Holy Child Jesus Church in Queens, police said on Tuesday. Photo: Facebook/Bishop Octavio Cisneros

"The mother... felt her newborn child would be found safely in the church... and she returned the following morning to make certain that the baby had been found."

CCTV emerged showing the woman buying towels at a supermarket in the moments before she ditched the baby outside the church.

The newborn - with his umbilical cord still attached - was found lying in a manger at Holy Child Jesus Church in Queens.


The custodian found the crying infant wrapped in towels in the indoor nativity scene he had set up just before his lunch break.

Police found surveillance video revealing the woman walking into the church with the baby and leaving a few minutes later empty handed.

A video of the woman buying towels at a store about a block away from the church was also found, showing the woman carrying the baby wrapped inside her coat.

Father Christopher Ryan Heanue, one of the priests at the church, said he and others placed a clean towel around the baby while waiting for paramedics to show up.

Photo: Facebook/Bishop Octavio Cisneros

Photo: Facebook/Bishop Octavio Cisneros

"The beautiful thing is that this woman found in this church - which is supposed to be a home for those in need - this home for her child," Heanue said, referring to the person he assumes left the baby there.

"A young couple in our parish would love to adopt this child and keep this gift in our community. It would make a great Christmas miracle," Heanue said.

Paramedics took the healthy baby to Jamaica Hospital and police are investigating the incident, the police spokesman said.

A video of the woman buying towels at a store about a block away from the church was also found, showing the woman carrying the baby wrapped inside her coat. Photo: Youtube

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