Newborn Baby Found In Church Nativity Scene In New York City

A newborn baby boy, with his umbilical cord still attached, was found all alone in an indoor nativity scene at a Queens church on Monday.

According to the New York Daily News, the infant was discovered by a custodian at around noon at the Holy Child Jesus Church in Richmond Hill.

“The baby was found in the creche, a sort of manger scene where we would put the baby Jesus during Christmastime,” the church’s Rev. Christopher Heanue explained.

Because the church is a safe haven for women to drop off their unwanted children, it is not unheard of for a baby to arrive at the church. However, this little boy was brand new and still had his umbilical cord attached to his stomach, making it an extra special discovery.

“The church is considered a safe haven for dropoffs,” Heanue told reporters on Tuesday. “The baby was brand new. He still had the umbilical cord attached. It’s a beautiful baby boy.”

Crying Newborn Found in NYC Church Nativity Scene | NBC New York https://t.co/osUppXRPpp via nbcnewyork

— Keith Jones NBC 6 (@KeithNBC6) November 24, 2015

The baby, which appeared to be full-term, was transported to Jamaica Hospital following his discovery. Upon his arrival, the nurses and doctors thoroughly examined him, noting that he weighed in at a healthy five pounds six ounces.

According to the New York Post, the church later reviewed their security footage, and saw a woman walking with the newborn baby to the nativity scene. A few minutes later, the woman can again be seen, but this time she is alone.

The church’s custodian had been setting up the nativity scene inside of the church earlier that day. He left for lunch at approximately 11:00 a.m., and returned about an hour later, which is when he heard the baby crying.

While the authorities are working on locating the infant’s mother, Heanue said there are already members of the church that have made it known that they are interested in adopting the baby boy.

“There are families within the parish who have inquired as to the adopting the baby already,” he explained. “They feel that he was left in the parish and should stay in the parish.”

Custodian found abandoned newborn baby crying inside nativity scene at church in Queens. https://t.co/7t1tlUEfQt pic.twitter.com/2P7Zl0AIcU

— ABC7 News (@abc7newsBayArea) November 24, 2015

Although the baby’s mother either couldn’t care for him or simply didn’t want him, the members of the church said he will have a blessed life from here on out, and he will have plenty of people to care for him.

“I feel so sad that the child’s mother felt she had to abandon him, but it’s a blessing that she brought him here,” church member Karina Lara, 28, said. “This is a beautiful church with beautiful people and his life will be blessed from this point on.”

Corrine Gower, who was at the church on Tuesday, said she believes the only reason the baby survived was because he was left indoors and not out in the cold. She pointed out that the situation could have had a grim ending if his mother had simply decided to leave him somewhere on the streets.

“It’s a miracle the baby survived. He could have just been dumped into the street last night,” she said. “The mother did the right thing by bringing the baby here. It’s such a loving community. I just know someone from the church will adopt him. That little boy is always going to be a part of this church. If I didn’t have two already I would consider it.”

Gower said she also has a suggestion as to what the baby’s name should be… “I think it would be so appropriate to name him Jesus. He was found in the nativity after all.”

[Photo via Shutterstock]