The shocking abandonment of a newborn baby girl at Manhattan’s bustling Penn Station has led to the arrest and charging of Assa Diawara, her 30-year-old mother from Queens. This deeply unsettling incident not only highlights the dangers faced by vulnerable infants but also brings into sharp focus New York’s critical Abandoned Infant Protection Act, a law designed to prevent such tragedies by offering a safe, anonymous alternative for parents in crisis.
A recent incident at one of New York City’s busiest transit hubs has gripped the nation, sparking widespread concern and prompting a crucial conversation about infant safety and parental support systems. On Monday morning, October 20, 2025, during the peak of rush hour, a newborn baby girl was discovered abandoned inside Manhattan’s Penn Station, her umbilical cord still attached. The shocking discovery initiated a rapid police investigation that quickly led to an arrest, but the profound questions surrounding the child’s abandonment continue to resonate within the community and beyond.
The infant was found near the 1 train at 34th Street and 7th Avenue, wrapped only in a blanket and placed directly on the grimy floor of a stairway leading to the downtown platforms. Despite the dangerous and public location, officers who responded to the 911 call found the baby conscious, alert, and crying. She was immediately transported to Bellevue Medical Center, where she was listed in stable condition and placed under protective care.
The Arrest of Assa Diawara
Just days after the harrowing discovery, authorities made a significant breakthrough. On Wednesday, October 22, 2025, Assa Diawara, a 30-year-old resident of Jamaica, Queens, was arrested near her home. Police charged her with abandonment of a child and endangering the welfare of a child. According to police sources, Diawara allegedly admitted to giving birth to the baby girl and leaving her at the 34th Street-Penn Station subway stop during Monday morning’s chaos, as reported by the NY Post.
Surveillance footage played a crucial role in the investigation. The NYPD released images showing a woman, identified as Diawara, dressed in pink pants, a red headscarf, and glasses, clutching a gray bag and a cloth-wrapped bundle. The footage captured her descending the stairs into the station around 9 a.m. and fleeing on foot approximately 30 minutes later. A driver reportedly picked her up near West 34th Street at 9:22 a.m., taking her back to Queens, mere minutes before the abandoned infant was reported to police.
A ‘Miracle on 34th Street’ Amidst the Chaos
The discovery sparked a mixture of shock and relief among commuters. Riders at the station expressed disbelief that a newborn could be left in such a dangerous and public place during one of the busiest times of the day. Many lauded the quick response of law enforcement and the medical team who ensured the baby’s safety.
Demetrius Crichlow, president of New York City Transit, optimistically dubbed the event the “miracle on 34th street,” alluding to the classic Christmas movie. Indeed, the baby’s stable condition, despite the circumstances, offered a glimmer of hope in a profoundly distressing situation. A team from the city’s Administration for Children’s Services was deployed to ensure the ongoing well-being of the infant, who remains under protective care at Bellevue Hospital, as reported by The Associated Press.
New York’s Abandoned Infant Protection Act: A Tragic Oversight?
This incident has inevitably brought New York’s Abandoned Infant Protection Act, often referred to as the Safe Haven Law, into sharp focus. Enacted in 2000, this crucial legislation allows parents to surrender babies up to 30 days old anonymously and without prosecution. The law designates safe havens for relinquishment, including:
- Hospitals
- Staffed police stations
- Staffed firehouses
The core purpose of this law is to prevent the dangerous and often fatal abandonment of infants by offering a legal and safe alternative for parents who feel they cannot care for their child. Under the act, the parent must promptly notify an appropriate person of the infant’s location, ensuring the child receives immediate care and is placed into protective custody, ultimately making them eligible for adoption by loving families.
Experts in child welfare agencies lament situations like the Penn Station abandonment, emphasizing that resources and safe options are available. Liyan Bao, senior vice president for child welfare at The New York Foundling, one of the city’s oldest child welfare agencies, noted the historical shift in infant abandonment. While babies were once left on doorsteps 150 years ago, today, structured support systems and safe haven laws exist. Bao stressed, “Services are available, and I really would encourage for families in need to reach out.” The Penn Station incident tragically underscores the need for greater public awareness of these vital protections and support networks.
Broader Implications and Community Call to Action
For many, particularly pro-life advocates, Diawara’s arrest brings a measure of justice but also amplifies a deeper sorrow. It highlights the urgent need to foster a culture where no mother feels compelled to abandon her child, and every infant is cherished from conception. The emphasis remains on preventing such desperate acts by ensuring robust support systems and comprehensive awareness of legal alternatives like the Safe Haven Law.
The investigation into the Penn Station abandonment remains active. Authorities continue to urge anyone with additional information to contact the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). This case serves as a stark reminder of the challenges some parents face and the crucial role that community awareness and available resources play in protecting the most vulnerable among us.
