In a scene that has shocked America, surveillance cameras captured the distressing moment a mother abandoned her hours-old baby boy on the floor of New York's bustling Penn Station.
The chilling footage shows the woman, dressed in a black outfit with distinctive bright orange trainers, carefully placing the newborn on the ground near a bench before walking away without looking back.
The Abandonment That Shook New York
According to authorities, the incident occurred around 10:30 PM on Tuesday September 10th at the Amtrak concourse of the station, one of Manhattan's busiest transport hubs serving thousands of commuters daily.
The newborn, still with his umbilical cord attached, was discovered by a shocked passerby who immediately alerted station security. Emergency services rushed the infant to a nearby hospital, where medical staff confirmed he was less than 24 hours old.
Desperate Search for Mother
New York Police Department has launched an urgent city-wide search for the woman, releasing the CCTV images in hopes that someone might recognise her distinctive footwear or clothing.
"We're deeply concerned about the mother's welfare and need to ensure she receives appropriate medical attention," stated NYPD Chief of Transit Michael Kemper during a press conference.
Police emphasised that while the abandonment was deeply troubling, their primary concern remains the health and safety of both mother and child.
Community Reaction and Legal Context
The incident has sparked outrage and sympathy across social media platforms, with many expressing concern for both the abandoned infant and the desperate circumstances that might have led to such an act.
Under New York's Safe Haven Law, parents can legally surrender newborns up to 30 days old at designated safe locations including hospitals, police stations, and firehouses without facing criminal charges - making this station floor abandonment particularly puzzling to authorities.
Investigators continue to review additional surveillance footage from surrounding areas and are appealing to anyone with information to come forward immediately.
