A New York City church got a surprise donation when a newborn baby was found in the church's Nativity Scene Monday afternoon.
The miracle baby was abandoned at Queens' Holy Child Jesus Church in Richmond Hill. A woman was seen walking into the church with the baby on a surveillance video and then leaving by herself, according to sources. Police sources said the baby boy was found in the indoor nativity scene at approximately 1:00 p.m., reports the New York Post. A church custodian found the baby after hearing it cry once he returned to the nativity scene he was setting up an hour earlier. Under "safe-haven" laws, churches are one of many places where babies can be surrendered by parents without being charged with a crime.
Holy Child Jesus Church's Father Christopher Heanue told the NYP, "The baby was found in creche, a sort of manger scene where we would put the baby Jesus during Christmas time." Father Heanue, who described the baby as "beautiful" said, "The baby was brand new. He still had the umbilical cord attached."
The newborn was taken to Queens' Jamaica Hospital where he was weighed at 5 pounds, 6 ounces. Many church members have already expressed interest in adopting the baby.
