Authorities found a newborn baby with his umbilical cord still attached in a New York parking lot on Tuesday, frozen from frigid temperatures.
WDAM7 reports that police are now questioning the infant’s mother. Port Jervis Police Chief William Worden said the woman’s name is being withheld at this time since no charges have been filed.
The Orange County Medical Examiner’s Office performed an autopsy on the baby on Wednesday. Authorities are waiting to hear the cause of death.
“We have identified the mother of the child and she has been interviewed,” Worden confirmed.
According to police, two teenagers found the baby lying in a wooded area along a walking path in Port Jervis. Times Herald-Record reports that temperatures dropped down to the teens on Tuesday night.
The teens initially thought they stumbled over a baby.
“Anybody who would do this is like, less than human,” neighbor Brandon Rivera told WDAM7. “That’s crazy. I feel for the baby and that’s it.”
Another neighbor, Luis Tarrats, told ABC she couldn’t understand why someone didn’t leave the baby with someone else.
“We were right next door – we could have taken the baby. Just wrap it up and leave it on our doorstep, we would have taken care of it. It’s sad.”
Under New York’s “Abandoned Infant Protection Act,” parents can leave an infant up to a month old in a designated location, such as a police station, fire station or hospital, without facing prosecution. They also have the option of remaining anonymous.
Anyone with any information about the case should contact the Port Jervis Police Department at 845-856-5101.
Check back for updates.
For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast. Here is a related episode.
[Feature Photo: Pixabay]
