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Baby Abandoned At Columbus Circle Subway Station ID'd; Mother In Custody
By
Jen Chung
Published Jul 8, 2014
Modified Jul 8, 2014
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By
Jen Chung
Published Jul 8, 2014
Modified Jul 8, 2014
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The baby found abandoned on the northbound 1 train platform at the Columbus Circle subway station has been identified—and her 20-year-old mother is now in custody.
Yesterday around 12:30 p.m., a woman riding a 1 train pushed a stroller holding a 7-month baby girl onto the platform and then, according to police, departed on the same train. A Good Samaritan saw the baby and waited for 20 minutes, in case the mother or caregiver returned, before taking the child to the police.
Police found surveillance footage of the woman and the baby entering the Times Square subway station:
According to NBC New York, "A tipster spotted the mother at a Starbucks at 71st Street and Broadway at about 12:30 a.m. Tuesday, about 12 hours after someone pushed her infant daughter's stroller off a [train]... Officers detained the 20-year-old mother at the Starbucks and took her back to the station, where transit police are questioning her."
It's believed the woman is the mother of the child. WABC 7 reports, "The 20-year-old woman recently came to New York City from another state, and she apparently decided suddenly that she could no longer take care of the 10-month-old girl." Charges have not been filed yet.
The baby, who was taken to Roosevelt Hospital, had a slight rash on her face as well as a bandage on her hand, but is in generally good health. She is currently in custody of the Administration for Children's Services.
Update: Police have charged Frankea Dabbs, 20, with Abandonment of a Child and Act in manner injurious to a child under 17. Dabbs is described as homeless; she is apparently from North Carolina.
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Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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