Woman who left newborn at Penn Station claimed she was seeking an orphanage, according to police.

A 30-year-old woman has been charged with the abandonment of her newborn daughter at New York City’s Penn Station, a decision she claims was born out of desperation to find an orphanage for her child. Assa Diawara is accused of leaving the infant at approximately 9:30 a.m. on Monday morning on the steps leading to the downtown No. 1 train platform. The baby, found shortly afterward by passersby, still had her umbilical cord attached but was reported to be in good health and later transported to Bellevue Hospital.

Diawara’s arrest occurred the following day in Jamaica, Queens, where police apprehended her after tracking her down. According to police sources, she stated that her decision to leave the baby was prompted by an unsuccessful search for an orphanage after giving birth at her home in Queens. The authorities have charged Diawara with child abandonment and endangerment.

In court proceedings, Diawara, who has no prior criminal record and is employed at a local supermarket, was granted supervised release, allowing her to leave without posting bail. A judge mandated that she report to a caseworker who will monitor her compliance with court requirements. Reports indicate that since her release from the hospital, Diawara has not returned to her apartment, spurring concern among neighbors.

One resident expressed a mix of sympathy for both the mother and the child, highlighting the potential struggles Diawara may have faced. The community’s response illustrates the nuanced emotional landscape surrounding such cases, with some suggesting that assistance might have been offered had Diawara sought help from neighbors instead.

Surveillance footage captured Diawara arriving at Penn Station, where she was seen carrying the newborn, wrapped in a blanket. The footage later depicted her leaving the station without the infant, eventually getting into a livery cab, which took her to her home in Jamaica.

Under New York State’s Safe Haven Law, parents can legally surrender a newborn under 30 days old to specified locations, including hospitals and fire stations, allowing them to ensure the safety of their child without the fear of legal repercussions. The case has prompted discussions about the availability of support systems for new parents in distress, emphasizing the need for accessible resources for those facing difficult circumstances.

The investigation continues as authorities gather more information surrounding the situation and seek to ensure the ongoing welfare of the infant.