Couple who found abandoned baby in subway floor shares adoption journey as he turns 25

The subway baby is now 25 years old, marking a touching milestone in an adoption story that began in the heart of New York City.

It all started when Danny Stewart discovered an abandoned newborn at a Manhattan subway station.

Alongside his partner, Peter Mercurio, he made the life-changing decision to adopt the child, an act of love that has inspired people worldwide.

Their remarkable journey is now shared in Peter’s new book, “There: We Found Our Family in a New York City Subway Station,” and in the Cannes‑winning short film “18 Months.” The film, created by the nonprofit Second Nurture, recently won two awards at Cannes Lions.

Danny serves on the organization’s board, continuing to support adoptive and foster families.

“Everyone in New York can relate to something happening in a split second that could have sent their life in one direction or another,” Peter told The Post of their story’s enduring appeal.

How a missed train led to discovering the subway baby

In August 2000, Danny—then 34—missed his express train at 110th Street. Running late to meet Peter for dinner, he rerouted through the A/C/E station at 14th Street.

Exiting the turnstile, he spotted what looked like a doll wrapped in a black hoodie.

But when one of its legs moved, Danny realized with shock that it was a newborn baby, later described in the media as found abandoned in a subway.

He ran to a payphone—still essential in the pre-cell phone era—and called police. Then he rushed back to comfort the baby, who still had part of his umbilical cord attached.

Officers soon arrived to take the baby into care, but the moment haunted Danny. “I could not stop thinking about him,” he later told The Post.

A surprising offer and a bold decision

Although Danny, a social worker, deeply cared about the baby’s future, he didn’t initially see himself as the one to raise him. His focus was on helping find a stable home.

In December 2000, he appeared in court to describe how he had found the infant, hoping to speed up the child’s permanent placement.

But then, the judge asked an unexpected question: Would Danny consider adopting the baby?

The offer came out of nowhere. Still, without hesitation, Danny said yes.

Peter, unsure at first, questioned whether they were ready. But Danny stood firm. He was prepared to adopt—even if it meant doing it alone.

The turning point in the subway baby adoption story

Danny understood that Peter’s hesitation came from fear, not a lack of love. He expected the adoption process to be slow, giving them time to adjust.

“I said something really snarky, which was ‘Good luck being a single parent in New York City.’ And it didn’t faze him at all,” Peter recalled.

But the process moved faster than anyone expected, thanks to a city pilot program for placing healthy, abandoned infants in permanent homes.

Soon after, they had their first overnight visit, and everything changed. When Peter held the baby, he felt an instant, powerful bond. By Christmas, the baby was home with them.

They named him Kevin—a name Peter’s parents had chosen for a child they lost in 1967. Sharing the name with his parents brought grief and joy together in one unforgettable moment.

Kevin fit naturally into their lives. Both fathers described him as a remarkably easy child to raise.

In 2012, when Kevin was 11, Peter and Danny got married, choosing the same judge who had once asked Danny if he wanted to adopt the subway baby to officiate their wedding.

Referred to as Judge Cooper in Peter’s book, she shared why she made that life-altering suggestion years ago.

Danny recalled her words: “All babies need a connection with someone and I was that someone.”

From subway to Swarthmore: Kevin’s life today

Kevin’s story didn’t stop with the final pages of Peter’s book.

He attended the NYC Lab School in Chelsea, near their home. Later, he studied computer science and mathematics at Swarthmore College.

Today, Kevin lives in Pittsburgh. He works as a website developer and captains his local Ultimate Frisbee team. Peter lovingly describes him as a “cool cucumber,” and says Kevin recently told him how proud he was of the book.

For Peter, that one moment of connection meant everything. “That’s all I need. That’s the only review that matters to me,” he said.

Want to see the subway baby story come to life? Watch the CBS Mornings interview with Danny and Peter below: