Woman who allegedly left baby on New York City subway platform arrested

NEW YORK, July 8 (UPI) -- A young woman who allegedly left her baby on a subway platform at Columbus Circle said she is homeless, New York City police said Tuesday.

Frankea Dabbs, 20, was arrested shortly after midnight a few blocks from Columbus Circle. She faces charges that include abandoning the baby and endangering her welfare.

Dabbs, who also faces a marijuana possession charge in North Carolina, told police she traveled to New York from Raleigh in early June. She said her daughter's father died in California, where she lived, according to her ID.

Witnesses said a young woman pushed a baby in a stroller through the open doors of a No. 1 train to the platform Monday. Police said Dabbs has admitted to leaving her daughter.

"She felt she couldn't take care of the baby and thought she was leaving her in a safe public space," said Stephen Davis, spokesman for the New York Police Department.

A woman who noticed the baby stayed with her for about 20 minutes, thinking the mother might have left her by accident and would be right back. When no one claimed the child after 20 minutes, she reported her.

Authorities say the girl has a rash but otherwise appeared to be in good health.