WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — A routine morning at a ShopRite in White Plains turned into an emergency Sunday after employees discovered a newborn baby inside a workers’ restroom, prompting an immediate 911 call and a police investigation.
The infant was found at the ShopRite located inside the City Center shopping complex, according to the White Plains Department of Public Safety.
First responders quickly provided medical attention to the baby before transporting him to White Plains Hospital, where officials said he was in stable condition.
The discovery triggered an investigation into how the newborn came to be inside the restroom and how long he had been there. Police later confirmed that a suspect had been identified and taken into custody.
Store Employee Taken Into Custody
According to local reports, the baby’s mother is a 32-year-old White Plains resident who works at the supermarket. Police told ABC7 that the woman reportedly gave birth at approximately 11 p.m. Saturday and subsequently left the newborn inside the bathroom.
The baby remained there for around seven hours before another employee found him Sunday morning and called 911. The mother was also receiving medical treatment following the birth and was reported to be in stable condition.
White Plains Police Sgt. Claudio Benavides said the mother was in custody while receiving treatment.
“The mother is currently in custody receiving treatment for this recent birth,” Benavides said.
He added that the child was being cared for by Child Protective Services, while police were communicating with prosecutors about potential charges. The police department did not identify the woman in its public release.
Employees Quickly Call 911 After Finding Baby
A ShopRite spokesperson said employees immediately responded when they discovered the newborn. The workers called emergency services and cared for the baby until first responders arrived, according to the company.
“We can confirm that a newborn infant was discovered in the restroom by store associates, who immediately called 911 and cared for the baby until emergency responders arrived and transported the infant to a local hospital,” the spokesperson said.
The quick response allowed emergency personnel to provide the infant with medical attention and transport him to the hospital. Police said the baby remained hospitalized in stable condition as the investigation continued.
Police Investigate Potential Child Abandonment
White Plains authorities initially investigated the incident as a case of potential child abandonment.
Investigators have processed or were nearing completion at multiple crime scenes and were conducting witness and informational interviews, according to the Department of Public Safety.
Police are also working with the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office to determine whether criminal charges should be filed. At this point, authorities have not publicly announced specific charges against the mother.
The investigation is continuing as detectives work to establish the circumstances surrounding the birth and the baby’s abandonment inside the store restroom.
New York Safe Haven Law Highlighted
Following the discovery, White Plains officials reminded the public about New York’s Safe Haven law, which provides a legal option for safely surrendering an infant under certain circumstances.
Under the law, a person can leave an infant no more than 30 days old in a safe location without facing criminal liability for abandonment if specific requirements are met.
Those requirements include ensuring that the child remains safe from physical injury, receives appropriate care and that an appropriate person is promptly notified about the baby’s location.
White Plains Public Safety Commissioner Wade Hardy explained that safe surrender locations can include a fire department, police station or hospital nurse.
The Department of Public Safety also said a person can surrender an infant anonymously if requested.
The reminder came as authorities emphasized that parents or guardians facing difficult circumstances have legal options for safely surrendering newborns rather than leaving them unattended.
Baby’s Future Care Being Handled by CPS
Westchester County Child Protective Services is assisting with the baby’s future care while investigators continue looking into the incident.
Police have also warned the public about misinformation surrounding the case, saying that a photograph circulating on social media was not of the newborn involved. Authorities are asking anyone who may have information about what happened to contact the White Plains Police Department.
The infant remains the central concern as officials determine what happened during the hours between his birth and his discovery in the supermarket restroom.
For now, police have confirmed that the baby is stable and receiving care, while the mother remains in custody and the investigation into possible criminal charges continues.
What do you think about New York’s Safe Haven law and the circumstances surrounding this case? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
