Newborn baby found in nativity scene

The baby boy, who is perfectly healthy and even had his umbilical chord still attached, was found by a custodian in the Holy Jesus Child Church in Queens.

A custodian returning from lunch about 1:30 p.m. Monday heard crying coming from the church’s indoor nativity scene. He was given a clean bill of health, weighing in at 5 pounds, 6 ounces, and doctors estimated that he had been born about four or five hours earlier. The two then contacted the authorities.

The laws of NY allow for unwanted babies to be dropped off anonymously at churches, hospitals, police or fire stations without fear of arrest.

Moran told the parish priest, Christopher Ryan Heanue, and they called the police.

The nativity wasn’t supposed to be set up for a few more weeks, but a desperate New York City mother turned to the best place for her child: In the hands of God.

Father Heanue added to CBS News that although he was “shocked” by the discovery, he sees it as a thing to be celebrated.

“I try and make it back to the home country as much as possible”, he said.

Father Heanue said he found the story inspirational.

However, the law, known as the Abandoned Infant Protection Act, requires that the child be left with someone, or, for authorities to be called immediately.

The manger of a church’s nativity scene is normally found with a life-like baby resembling the baby Jesus.

CCTV footage from nearby stores allegedly shows the mother buying towels before she is caught on camera walking into the church with the baby and exiting without.

Plaza says this church is like a family and already several members have stepped forward and offered to adopt the child.

Police said that did not happen in this case, which has led investigators to begin searching for the person who dropped the child at the church.