Residents near the Throgs Neck Houses found a nonverbal little boy wandering alone in the cold wearing just a diaper and shirt Tuesday.
The community circulated his picture on Facebook in the hope of finding his parents.
Housing police said the boy was being cared for by police services and ambulance personnel.
Authorities are asking anyone who recognizes the boy or who can help get him home to call the police tip line, Crime Stoppers, at 1-800-577-TIPS.