The Office of Children and Family Services and the New York City Fire Department are conducting an investigation following the discovery of a newborn left abandoned on the street with the umbilical cord still attached. The infant was found alive and is currently receiving medical attention.
According to a statement by the New York City Fire Department, two EMTs were outside EMT Station 7 on 23rd St. at around 3 a.m. on Thursday, July 11 when a passerby knocked on the ambulance window. The bystander informed the EMTs that a newborn baby had been abandoned on the sidewalk.
As her shift was coming to an end, an EMT approached and quickly evaluated the baby. The good news was that the infant was still breathing.
Mia Chin, the EMT, shared that they relied on their training from the Fire Department when they encountered a crying and cooing infant. Upon approaching the baby, it was waving and showing signs of being responsive.
EMTs Chin and Feimer transported the newborn to the station for additional medical attention. The infant was then taken to Bellevue Hospital by paramedics Kaddah and Rougier, where they confirmed the baby’s stable condition.
Expressing her joy, Chin stated that she was extremely glad that the baby had survived. She humbly added that she didn’t consider herself a hero, rather she believed that she and Patrick had worked together as a team to ensure the safe delivery of the child to medical care. Chin expressed her gratitude by saying, “Thank God it was a positive outcome.”
Ayatta Swann, a resident of New York City, has been identified as the mother of the infant. She voluntarily admitted herself to the hospital where the newborn was being treated. The New York City Police Department has charged Swann with child abandonment.
New York Fire Department Commissioner Praises EMTs For Saving the Abandoned Newborn
Laura Kavanagh, the Fire Commissioner, also commended the hard work of Chin and Feimer.
Commissioner Kavanagh praised the EMS members, stating that even though they had just finished their shift, they still fulfilled their duty with utmost dedication. According to him, EMS members are always prepared to help, regardless of the situation.
According to Kavanagh, EMTs are always prepared to face danger or emergencies, and this crew was no exception. They quickly tended to the infant, brought them inside, and ensured that they received all the necessary care and attention. Kavanagh commended the crew for their swift and dedicated response in providing the care the infant needed.
Feimer shared his experience of the unexpected situation during a press conference. He expressed, “You don’t know what you’re going to walk into when you get a knock on the window like that.”
“When we came to the scene, we quickly evaluated the situation. As soon as we spotted the newborn, we immediately sprang into action.”
In New York, parents have the option to take advantage of the safe haven law. This law permits infants who are no more than 30 days old to be left in designated safe locations, such as hospitals or fire stations.
