A woman gave birth in a New York City courtroom while waiting to appear before a judge on drug charges.
Samantha Randazzo, 33, gave birth to a baby boy on a bench at a criminal court in Brooklyn on Friday night, according to The New York Times.
Randazzo, who was nine months pregnant, was waiting to appear before a judge after she was arrested on Thursday for drug possession and trespassing.
She was slouched on a bench when her water broke, immediately turning the court into a delivery room.
Her lawyer, Wynton Sharpe, told the New York Times that they witnessed when she began going into labor.
'We saw it,' Sharpe said. 'She didn't have to say anything. We were like, oh, OK, this is happening, like, now.'
The attorney said that as the judge cleared the courtroom, officers rushed to help Randazzo.
He added it was just before midnight when she became the mother of a 'bouncing baby boy'.
Samantha Randazzo, 33, gave birth to a baby boy on a bench at a criminal court in Brooklyn on Friday night
Randazzo was arrested on Thursday for drug possession and trespassing after she allegedly was seen on the roof of her building in Brooklyn, without authorization. When she was searched, she had a small amount of heroin and cocaine, according to officials
However, Randazzo reportedly ended up giving birth in the courtroom shortly after she was released from a hospital.
The NYPD told the New York Post that 'At the time of arrest and when they arrived at the stationhouse, Ms. Randazzo was wearing baggy clothes, did not inform officers she was pregnant, did not indicate any disabilities, and declined medical attention.'
She was placed into custody after officers allegedly witnessed her on the roof of her building in Brooklyn, without authorization.
Officers said when they searched her, they found a small amount of heroin and cocaine.
Officials added that she complained of drug withdrawal symptoms and was brought to a hospital at 3.30am on Friday before she was discharged.
Sharpe said that the hospital was unaware how close Randazzo was to giving birth.
She was then taken to the courthouse.
In a joint statement, cited by the Post that is no longer available, the Legal Aid Society and Brooklyn Defender Services claimed that while Randazzo was giving birth, she was handcuffed and shackled without 'adequate medical care, privacy, or dignity.'
She was brought to a hospital after complaining of drug withdrawal symptoms but was discharged and brought to court
'She deserved care, compassion, safety, and dignity. Instead, she was subjected to trauma and humiliation in full public view,' the statement added.
The organizations also called for an investigation of the incident.
However, Sharpe denied that Randazzo was handcuffed and shackled while giving birth to the Times.
Al Baker, a spokesman for the Office of Court Administration, cited preliminary information gathered on Saturday that showed Randazzo's wrists were cuffed behind her back, but officers removed the restraints after her water broke.
Baker also noted that the officers who assisted Randazzo 'personified the everyday virtues of their sworn service.'
'We are delighted both mother and baby are well,' he added.
According to the Times, the arraignment continued without Randazzo.