Police: Teen mom left newborn at Jersey City restaurant in care of strangers

Police say that the baby’s 14-year-old mother left the baby at the El Patron restaurant on JFK Boulevard Wednesday afternoon after she just gave birth.

News 12 Staff

May 21, 2021, 1:04 AM

Updated 1,205 days ago

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A newborn baby girl is in good health after being left at a Jersey City restaurant.
Police say that the baby’s 14-year-old mother left the baby at the El Patron restaurant on JFK Boulevard Wednesday afternoon after she just gave birth.
WABC reports that the teen told the restaurant owner that she had found the baby. A customer then asked the teen if she could check the baby’s vitals.
While the customer was checking on the baby, the teen is seen on surveillance video walking out of the restaurant, leaving the baby.
Police were called and checked on the baby and found that she was suffering from some minor medical issues, but soon began to cry. Paramedics determined that the baby was in good health.
Police were able to identify the mother as well. Both the teen and the infant were taken to the hospital for treatment and are expected to be OK.
No charges will be filed against the mother.
Police say that this is a good time to remind New Jersey residents that the state has a Safe Haven law. Under the law, parents may bring an unwanted newborn baby to a hospital, police station or fire station and give the baby up anonymously.