Queens Woman Arrested For Allegedly Leaving Newborn Baby Outside After Giving Birth
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A Queens woman accused of leaving her newborn son outside after giving birth has been arrested.
The baby boy was found outside a multi-family home in Richmond Hill on Sunday morning. Authorities believe the woman, identified as 23-year-old Sabita Dookram, delivered him Saturday night.
Police said Dookram was hit with seven charges, including attempted murder and attempted manslaughter. She is still being evaluated at a hospital.
Police said the newborn was naked, attached to his umbilical cord, and lying next to garbage.
The baby was in critical condition after being rushed to Jamaica Hospital, police said. He was later transferred to Cohen Children's Medical Center and remains in critical, but stable condition.
Dr. Peter Silver, medical director at the hospital, told CBS2's Cory James that it's important to remember the Abandoned Infant Protection Act or Safe Haven Law is designed to prevent situations like this.
MORE: Abandoned Newborn Found Naked In Queens Alley, Hospitalized
"What that law states is that parents can anonymously turn over an unwanted baby, as long as they do it in a safe way and the baby is not injured, up to 30 days of age. Again, as long as the baby is cared for and somebody knows the baby is there," Silver said.
That can happen at a hospital, staffed police station, or staffed fire station, he added.
The person giving away the infant is also not required to leave his or her name.
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