On a bustling Monday morning in Midtown Manhattan, as thousands of New Yorkers hurried through the city’s arteries, an unexpected and heart-wrenching discovery was made at one of the world’s busiest transit hubs. Just before 9:30 a.m. on October 20, 2025, a newborn baby girl—her umbilical cord still attached—was found abandoned on the steps leading down to the southbound 1, 2, and 3 trains at the 34th Street–Penn Station subway stop. The infant, wrapped only in a blanket and a sheet, was discovered by police after an anonymous tip alerted authorities to her presence.
According to the Associated Press, the New York City Police Department received a 911 call at 9:27 a.m., prompting a swift response from both NYPD and fire personnel. The baby was found at the bottom of the staircase leading to a train platform, conscious and alert. She was quickly transported by officers to Bellevue Hospital, where she was admitted in stable condition. New York City Transit President Demetrius Crichlow, in remarks to reporters, expressed both relief and gratitude: “I’m calling it the ‘Miracle on 34th Street,’ maybe just a little earlier. Just grateful for the work of the NYPD for responding and caring for the baby.”
The story, which has since reverberated across local and national news outlets, has captured the attention of New Yorkers and the nation alike. Images of the police cordoning off the stairwell, collecting evidence, and the tiny bundle swaddled in a blanket have become emblematic of both the city’s hardships and its capacity for compassion. According to ABC News, the infant was found conscious and alert, showing no signs of injury, and did not appear to have been born in the station or on a train. Investigators have been combing through surveillance footage from inside the station, hoping to identify who left the child and how long she may have been there before being discovered.
For many commuters, the event was both shocking and deeply moving. “I don’t know how someone could do that to a little baby. It’s really sad,” said Hibah Agha, a commuter interviewed by ABC News. Another commuter, Susan Lee, reflected on the desperation that must have driven the act: “I’m a new parent. My girl is 16 months. So I can’t imagine the desperation that they must’ve felt to do that.” Louis Ospjna, also passing through Penn Station that morning, simply said, “That’s insane, honestly. I’m so sorry to hear that.”
While the circumstances surrounding the abandonment remain under investigation, the case has prompted renewed discussion of New York State’s Abandoned Infant Protection Act. As outlined by WABC and other sources, the law allows a parent to anonymously and safely surrender a newborn up to 30 days old at designated “safe havens”—such as hospitals, staffed police stations, or firehouses—without fear of prosecution, provided the child is left in a safe manner. This legislation, and similar laws in neighboring states like New Jersey and Connecticut, were enacted in response to a series of tragic incidents in the late 1990s involving abandoned infants.
One of the key figures behind these laws is Nassau County Police Captain Timothy Jaccard, who helped pioneer the safe haven movement nationwide. As reported by ABC News, Jaccard recounted his experiences as a paramedic responding to heartbreaking calls involving deceased newborns. “I was willing to bury the babies that were murdered to give them dignity, but the best dignity I could give them now is to try to stop it and that’s what I do,” he said. Jaccard went on to found the AMT Children of Hope Foundation, an organization dedicated to educating the public and preventing the abandonment of infants. “Don’t be afraid, call. Get that baby and bring that baby into safety,” he urged.
Despite the existence of such laws, the incident at Penn Station has raised questions about public awareness and access to safe surrender locations. Investigators have not released any information about the identity of the person or persons who left the baby, nor have they indicated whether the individual was aware of the legal protections available. The stairwell where the infant was found was closed off as police collected evidence, and the investigation is ongoing. Authorities are reviewing hours of surveillance video in hopes of piecing together the events that led to the child’s abandonment.
New York City Transit President Demetrius Crichlow, who has become a public face of the city’s response, emphasized the importance of quick action and compassion in such moments. He specifically praised the NYPD officers who chose to take the infant to the hospital themselves rather than wait for paramedics, highlighting the human element behind the uniform. “Just grateful for the work of the NYPD in responding and caring for the baby,” Crichlow reiterated.
The broader context of the incident is not lost on longtime advocates and city officials. While the “Miracle on 34th Street” moniker has added a note of hope to the story, the reality remains sobering. Abandoning a child under the age of 14 outside of designated safe havens is a felony in New York State. The law is designed not only to protect infants but also to offer desperate parents a legal and humane alternative. Yet, as this week’s events show, not everyone is aware of—or able to access—these options.
For now, the newborn girl remains in stable condition at Bellevue Hospital, her future uncertain but her immediate safety assured. The city’s social services will likely oversee her care as the investigation continues. Meanwhile, the story has reignited conversations about the need for public education regarding safe haven laws and the importance of community vigilance in protecting the most vulnerable among us.
As the city waits for answers, the “Miracle on 34th Street” serves as both a testament to the quick actions of everyday heroes and a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by those in crisis. The hope is that increased awareness and support will prevent similar incidents in the future, ensuring that every newborn has a safe start to life—no matter the circumstances of their birth.
