Baby Found Abandoned in Shoebox Hours After Birth

June 25, 2009 by Suzanne Conlon

A newborn baby, less than a day old, was found in a shoebox in the lobby of an apartment building in Hempstead, Long Island on Sunday night.  The police were contacted by a resident who heard sounds coming from the shoebox and discovered the infant.

The umbilical cord, tied off with dental floss, was still attached to the baby.  There was nothing else in the box other than the onesie worn by the infant and a blanket.

The baby is currently in good health at Nassau University Medical Center.

“No one knows what could have happened to the child had it not been found,” said Detective Lt. Ray Cote.  “We are fortunate that she is alive and well.”  According to Nassau police, the baby appears to be either white or Hispanic.

“We are seeking everyone’s help to find and locate the mother of the child,” said Cote.

Forensics experts have the shoebox and are conducting tests to see if there might be any evidence that could help identify and locate the mother.  Fingerprints could help investigators.  Blood and DNA testing of the infant may also help, if the mother or father of the baby is on file.

“We want [the mother] to know that she needs treatment,” said Cote.  “We’d like to reach out to her and find out her motive.  Why did she leave her baby in the lobby of a building at night?”

Abandonment of a child is a felony, so the mother may face charges for child abandonment, although police have not released a statement about their intent.  “She must have been concerned about this child,” said a police technician.  “[The baby] was left to be found.  She was prepared properly.  The box had a hole cut in it so that the baby could breathe while inside.

Regardless of what charges the mother might face, Cote has said that Child Services will be involved in determining whether or not the baby is returned to the mother.