A Northern Territory woman has been accused of leaving her week-old baby alone so she could go out drinking.

The NT News reports that the woman left her newborn alone on Friday night, and police were alerted to the situation after a person saw the woman out drunk.

A Tennant Creek local says the baby was left alone at home.

She says children being abandoned is a common occurrence in the town.

The child was said to be filthy when police found her and she was taken to the Tennant Creek Hospital.

"It happens all the time," the local, who did not wish to be named, said.

She says such events rarely became publicised because even if authorities did find out about it, the children were taken to Family Services, who did not disclose what had happened.

It is not thought the woman involved will face any criminal charges although it is uncertain whether she has been reunited with her child.

Police in Tennant Creek declined to comment.

AAP