A newborn was left inside a plastic shopping bag and placed under a crucifix on the altar of a church in Rome, Italy. According to the Italian press, the baby was born less than two days ago and is in good health condition.
The alert was issued by a parishioner of the Church of San Gregorio Magno, who noticed the presence of the bag and, upon opening it, found the crying baby.
Initial assessments indicate that the child was born between 24 and 48 hours before being discovered and is currently hospitalized at San Camillo-Forlanini hospital, also in Rome. Medical examinations confirmed that she has 'good general health conditions.'
The Carabinieri, the Italian police, have launched an investigation to identify the individual responsible for abandoning the baby. Surveillance footage from the church, located in the Portuense neighborhood, captures a hooded person, apparently a woman, placing the baby in the bag before leaving the premises.
Investigators now need to use footage from other surveillance cameras in the area to try to locate this same person during the escape or while traveling to the church.
In a statement cited by the Italian news agency ANSA, the medical emergency service ARES 118 expressed gratitude 'to all professionals who, with promptness, competence, and a high sense of responsibility, ensured a quick intervention and provided careful assistance to the newborn.' The body also emphasized that the teams' work 'once again demonstrates the value of the daily commitment of professionals and their ability to respond with humanity and professionalism, even in the most delicate situations.'
