Girl Leaves Newborn In Jersey City Restaurant After Giving Birth

JERSEY CITY, NJ — A 14-year-old girl walked into a Jersey City restaurant on Wednesday, handed her newborn baby to a customer and fled, authorities said.

Jersey City police were called to El Patron restaurant on Linden Avenue and JFK Boulevard just after 4 p.m. for a report of an abandoned baby, according to city officials.

Employees at El Patron restaurant told the outlet that the young girl looked desperate and handed the baby to a customer before quickly leaving, before staff could speak to her — the baby still had the umbilical cord attached.

The baby was taken to the hospital and is in good health, according to city officials. The girl was found near the restaurant and taken to the hospital as well and is in good health, officials said. No charges have been filed and because the case involves a minor.

No other details were released.

New Jersey is a Safe Haven state which means parents or guardians can surrender newborns less than 30 days old at a hospital, police station or fire station.