A newborn baby with his umbilical cord still attached was found in the manger of the Nativity display at a church in Queens, New York City.
The baby boy was found by a maintenance worker at the Nativity scene at Holy Child Jesus Catholic Church in Richmond Hill, Queens at noon on Monday, NBC New York reported.
Rev. Christopher Ryan Heanue, the church parish priest, said the worker was cleaning the church when he heard a baby crying in the Nativity display.
"The baby was found in creche, a sort of manger scene where we would put the baby Jesus during Christmas time," Heanue told The New York Post.
He said, "The church is considered a safe haven for drop offs. The baby was brand-new. He still had the umbilical cord attached. It's a beautiful baby boy."
The baby was taken to the Jamaica Hospital and was found to weigh 5 pounds and 2 ounces. A surveillance video showed a woman walking inside the church with a baby in her arms and then walking out alone.
"There are families within the parish who have inquired as to the adopting the baby already," the worker who found the baby said. "They feel that he was left in the parish and should stay in the parish."
"Let us pray for this child, for his parents and for whoever will receive him into their home," Heanue said.
Karina Lara, 28, a member of the church, said she felt sad that the baby was abandoned.
"I feel so sad that the child's mother felt she had to abandon him. But it's a blessing that she brought him here. This is a beautiful church with beautiful people and his life will be blessed from this point on," she said.
Corrine Gower, who visited the church Tuesday, said the baby survived because it was left inside the church.
"It's a miracle the baby survived. He could have just been dumped into the street last night," she said. "The mother did the right thing by bringing the baby here. It's such a loving community. I just know someone from the church will adopt him. That little boy is always going to be a part of this church. If I didn't have two already I would consider it," she said.
"I think it would be so appropriate to name him Jesus," Gower added. "He was found in the Nativity after all."
