Experience: we found a baby on the subway - now he's our 26-year-old son

[cbabe]

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/may/22/experience-found-baby-subway-now-26-year-old-son

Experience: we found a baby on the subway – now he’s our 26-year-old son

I was rushing towards the turnstile when I noticed a bundle of clothes in a corner. I walked over, peeled back a dark sweatshirt, and saw him.

Danny Stewart
Fri 22 May 2026 00.00 EDT

In the summer of 2000, I could never have imagined becoming a father. I was 34, living in New York City, with a good job in social care, but still in a tiny apartment. I had been with my partner, Pete, for just over three years; we were serious, but we didn’t live together. Becoming a parent was not on my radar.

One August evening, I had finished work late and was hurrying to a dinner reservation I had with Pete. I was rushing towards the turnstile at Union Square station when I noticed a bundle of clothes in a corner. I saw it move and stopped in my tracks. I walked over, peeled back a dark sweatshirt, and saw him: a newborn baby, with the umbilical cord still attached.

I was in shock. I sprinted up to the street and found a payphone to call 911. “I found a baby,” I blurted out. I rushed back to the platform and crouched down next to the baby. I stroked his head to comfort him but he pulled a face. “OK, you don’t like that,” I said. We stared at each other. My heart was racing.

…

Pete’s written a memoir, and we also turned the story we wrote for Kevin into a children’s book and had a short animation made. We want other children to understand there are lots of ways to become a family.

… more …

[BlueWaveNeverEnd]

1. Such a wonderful story

[SuzyandPuffpuff]

2. Gorgeous

Simply beautiful...thanks

[LovelyStuff]

3. That was absolutely lovely.

[DiverDave]

4. Great story

Why am I crying?
Parenting saved my life.
I'm convinced I would have drank and drugged myself to death.
And it IS the best thing I have ever done.

[mcar]

5. Something in my eyes...

[Botany]

10. Same here too. I guess all the grass pollen

... in the air has kicked up my allergies or
maybe it is the dust. This has to do with
real family values and love.

[twodogsbarking]

13. It's the onions in the chuck roast. Mine too.

[calimary]

19. Yeah. No kidding.

[EverHopeful]

6. Thanks so much for posting this

Read it but haven't figured out how to post here.

It brought tears to my eyes and gave me a much-needed boost of my faith in humanity.

I actually remember when it was in the news when he was originally found.

Shocked me that it was so many years ago. Time flies when you're having fun or getting old

[malaise]

7. Thanks for this

Lovely

[niyad]

8. Thank you for this beautiful moment of humanity.

[chowder66]

9. Well that got my tear ducts flowing. I had no idea an adoption could work this way. How wonderful for all of them.

And that judge!! Wow!!

[hamsterjill]

11. Awe! This made me smile.

What an awesome turn of events and obviously something meant to be. Incredible story!!!!

[patphil]

12. The Universe moves in mysterious ways.

At least they seem mysterious at the time, but things happen at precisely the right moment; when the desired effect can be brought about.
And so a love story began near a turnstile in the Union Square subway on one August evening.
And so it continues.

[BeneteauBum]

14. Double lucky with fathers!

Kids are cool and the experience of raising them is one of the greater feelings of satisfaction you’ll ever have.

Peace ☮️

[70sEraVet]

15. A beautiful, moving story. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.

And to think that I live in a state where that children's book is probably on the banned books list!

[Buddyzbuddy]

16. That gives a whole new meaning to "finders, keepers".

What a great story.

[Devilsun]

17. What an incredibly lovely story!

[jackcrow2001]

18. Thank you for sharing

I find myself feeling both warmed at heart and choked up, thanks for the feels.

[wendyb-NC]

20. What generous, loving hearts

An incredible way to start a family.

[Trueblue Texan]

21. Do we have the name of the book...

…or the children’s story?

[cbabe]

22. Our Subway Baby

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Subway_Baby

Our Subway Baby is a picture book written by Peter Mercurio, illustrated by Leo Espinosa, and published September 15, 2020 by Dial Press. The book tells the true story of how Pete and his husband, Danny, found and eventually adopted their son, Kevin.

(Maybe someone can post some photos from the article? Great looking family.)