Newborn baby left in Christmas nativity manger at NY church

That’s when the custodian turned to a nativity scene in the front of the church and saw a newborn baby wrapped in towels laying in the manger, according to New York City police.

Imagine the surprise at a Queens church when the Nativity scene suddenly featured a real baby boy. The baby, who was believed to be just four or five hours old, was listed in stable condition. The two then contacted the authorities.

New York’s “safe haven” law permits people to leave a baby within 30 days of birth in certain places, i.e. churches, police stations, hospitals.

Moran went to the office of the parish priest, the Reverend Christopher Ryan Heanue, and the two called 911, The New York Times reports. Police are now searching the middle-class neighborhood – which Heanue referred to as “a true melting pot” – for the woman.

“I was shocked and, yet, really moved by it. The church is meant to be home for those in need and Pope Francis preaches about mercy and this is that year of mercy”. A custodian at the church reportedly heard a baby crying in the distance, eventually finding the child with its umbilical cord still connected.

Police say the infant was wrapped in blankets, and his umbilical cord was still attached. But the law also requires the child to be left with an appropriate person or for someone to be contacted right away. Police have a video of a woman walking in to the church with a baby and leaving without the baby, according to the Inquisitr.

On Tuesday, the baby was reported to be undergoing treatment at Jamaica Hospital.

“This child, we believe, is a gift, almost, to this parish”, said Heanue.

Plaza says this church is like a family and already several members have stepped forward and offered to adopt the child. “It would make a great Christmas miracle”, Heanue said.