A baby was found dead Thursday in an incident that shocked the Canarsie community in Brooklyn, after the body was discovered inside a black bag and hidden under a pile of leaves, according to the New York Police Department.

The discovery was made shortly after 11:00 am behind one of the buildings in the residential complex Bay View Houses, managed by the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA).

The baby was between 5 and 7 months old

According to police sources consulted by the New York Post, the child was between five and seven months old, although his identity has not yet been confirmed, nor has it been determined if he was related to any resident of the area.

Authorities were also unable to immediately determine how long the body had been there before its discovery.

Emergency services were unable to save him

Medical and police teams arrived at the scene after a 911 call, but could only pronounce the baby dead at the scene, the New York Police Department detailed.

The city's Medical Examiner's Office will be in charge of officially determining the cause of death, while homicide detectives and social services are collaborating on the investigation.

The community awaits answers

Neighbors in the area showed Dismayed by the incident, which adds to a series of recent events that have raised concerns about child safety and neglect in the city. Meanwhile, authorities have requested assistance from anyone who may have information about the case.