Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

News

Trash Chute Baby Could Have Been There For 12 Hours


By

Garth Johnston

Published May 24, 2011

Modified May 24, 2011


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .

The garbage chute the baby was dropped from

 

WABC


By

Garth Johnston

Published May 24, 2011

Modified May 24, 2011


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

The baby found in a Brooklyn garbage chute on Saturday night may have been there for as long as twelve hours, according to a Brooklyn Hospital doctor who examined him. That depressing news comes as the infant's mother, 18-year-old Laquasia Wright, was ordered held on $100,000 bail on attempted murder charges for allegedly dropping the newborn eight-stories down a trash chute.

According to the complaint filed in court, a Brooklyn Hospital doctor says the baby "was likely born 12 to 15 hours prior to the baby's arrival at the hospital," which means the tot could very well have spent hours inside the trash compactor in the Walt Whitman housing project before his cries were heard by a building employee.

The baby's life, it seems, was saved by the fact that the compactor itself was jammed, which meant there was a large buildup of trash for him to land on.

The case is currently being investigated by the Administration for Children's Services. Spokeswoman Elysia Murphy told the AP that the city will likely take custody of the child for now while it makes long-term care arrangements for him. Those options could include having the baby live with someone close to the family. "The decision will be made based on what we believe will keep the child safe," she said.

Tagged

abandoned baby

baby

brooklyn

garbage chute

laquasia wright

trash

trash chute


Garth Johnston

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE news

NYC Council to scrutinize snow removal plans as winter approaches

Lawmakers will review the city's preparations and consider a bill requiring the city to publish historical snowplowing records.

By

Catalina Gonella

Published Nov 1, 2026 at 5:46 p.m. ET


'The best day of the year': Inside Clinton Hill's 'mile nine' NYC marathon party

An estimated 2 million people came out on Sunday to cheer on the marathon runners. Clinton Hill hosted one of the city's most exuberant watch parties.

By

Stephanie Keith

News

'The best day of the year': Inside Clinton Hill's 'mile nine' NYC marathon party

An estimated 2 million people came out on Sunday to cheer on the marathon runners. Clinton Hill hosted one of the city's most exuberant watch parties.

By

Stephanie Keith


November has 3 meteor showers and the best chance to see Uranus

By

Rosemary Misdary

A 'beautiful' day for a marathon, as runners, spectators pack NYC streets

By

Walter Wuthmann

Calif. judge cites 'mountain of evidence' ICE racially profiled Latinos, drawing NY notice

By

Herb Pinder


Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .