A newborn baby with the umbilical cord still attached has been left in the Christmas nativity manger at a New York City church.

Police say a custodian at a Queens church found the child after returning from lunch on Monday afternoon.

Investigators say the baby was wrapped in towels and laying in the manger at the Holy Child of Jesus Church in Richmond Hill.

Police say the baby is in good health at a local hospital. Police have not released the gender and are searching for the person who left the child at the church.

State law says a newborn can be dropped off at a church, hospital, police or fire station.