A Queens woman, identified by the NYPD as Assa Diawara, was arrested in connection with an incident at Penn Station involving the alleged abandonment of her infant. The 30-year-old is facing charges of child abandonment and endangerment, according to Gothamist. Authorities reported that the infant, a girl, was found wrapped in a blanket near the southbound 1 train platform around 9 a.m. and was later transported to Bellevue Hospital, where she was listed in stable condition.
Following a review of surveillance footage, the NYPD located Assa Diawara in East Harlem, where she was taken into custody around 3 a.m. today. While the investigation into the circumstances remains ongoing, authorities reported that an anonymous tip helped in locating the child. As of now, legal representation for Diawara has not been publicly confirmed, and the motive behind the incident has not been determined.
The incident also captured the attention of New York City Transit President Demetrius Crichlow who was quoted by ABC 7NY as referring to the baby's survival as "the miracle on 34th Street." He commended the rapid response of the FDNY and NYPD saying, "The baby was taken to the hospital and is in stable condition, we don't have any other additional information on top of that, but just grateful for the work of the NYPD for responding and caring for the baby."
In response to the recent incident, New York’s Safe Haven Law was referenced to outline the legal procedures available for relinquishing newborns. The law permits parents to anonymously leave an infant, up to 30 days old, at designated locations such as hospitals or staffed police and fire stations. The policy provides a framework for the safe transfer of infant care. Additional guidance is available through the Safe Haven hotline at 1-888-510-BABY.
