Police said the baby boy was discovered about seven hours after his birth and was hospitalized in stable condition.
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — A 32-year-old ShopRite employee was taken into custody after police said she gave birth to a baby boy in an employee restroom and left him there until another worker discovered the newborn about seven hours later.
The infant was found early Sunday, Aug. 30, at the ShopRite inside the City Center shopping complex in White Plains. First responders provided emergency medical care before taking him to White Plains Hospital, where authorities said he was in stable condition. Westchester County Child Protective Services is assisting with plans for the child’s future care.
White Plains police said the woman, a city resident whose name has not been publicly released, gave birth at about 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29. Another store employee discovered the baby the following morning and called 911. Police said the woman was later identified as the child’s mother and was taken into custody while receiving medical treatment following the birth. She also was reported in stable condition.
ShopRite said employees who found the infant immediately contacted emergency services and cared for him until first responders arrived. White Plains officials said the rapid response helped protect the newborn’s well-being. Authorities have not released more detailed information about the baby’s medical treatment or disclosed when he may leave the hospital.
The White Plains Police Department initially investigated the discovery as a potential child-abandonment case. Harrison police and Westchester County police K9 teams assisted authorities as they searched for the person believed to have left the infant. The Westchester County District Attorney’s Office Special Prosecution Unit also was contacted to assist with the investigation.
In an Aug. 31 update, White Plains police said a suspect had been identified and was in custody. Investigators had processed or were nearing completion on multiple crime scenes and were conducting witness and informational interviews. Police did not publicly identify the additional locations being examined or describe what evidence had been collected.
Authorities said they were working closely with the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office to determine whether criminal charges should be filed. Police had not announced charges in their most recent public update. The woman’s custody status beyond her medical treatment also had not been detailed publicly.
The investigation prompted White Plains officials to remind the public about New York’s Abandoned Infant Protection Act, often called the Safe Haven law. Under the law, a person can avoid criminal liability for child abandonment when an infant no more than 30 days old is left under qualifying conditions intended to keep the child safe and ensure proper care.
White Plains Public Safety said qualifying circumstances include leaving the infant at a suitable safe location, such as a hospital, police station or fire station, or with an appropriate person. The person leaving the child also must promptly notify an appropriate person about the infant’s location. The law allows the surrender to be anonymous when its requirements are met.
Authorities have not publicly determined whether any provision of the Safe Haven law applies to the ShopRite case. That question, along with any potential criminal liability, remained under review as investigators worked with county prosecutors. Officials also warned that a photograph circulating on social media after the discovery did not show the infant involved in the case.
The baby remained in stable condition in the latest official update, with Child Protective Services assisting in his future care. White Plains police said the investigation remains active and that additional information will be released as it progresses.
Author note: Last updated September 2, 2026.