Police conclude search for abandoned baby’s mother

Wednesday 18 April 2018

Police have exhausted all leads in their investigation to find the mother of a newborn baby abandoned at the hospital A&E department with its umbilical cord still attached.

The news comes one month after the 30-minute-old baby boy, who was wrapped in a soft yellow blanket, was first found by hospital staff at 05:40 on Sunday 18 March.

CCTV footage showed that he had been left there by two women dressed in black - one of whom hesitated at the Emergency Department door before entering with the baby.

Police today announced that the boy, who has been given a name, is “being cared for and doing well.” They added that they would not be providing any further information on his care in order to protect his anonymity.

Video: CCTV footage of the two women who brought the newborn to the hospital. (SOJP)

Confirming the conclusion of their hunt for the mother, officials said in a statement:  “The Police investigation launched to find the mother of the baby left at the hospital a month ago received a positive response from the public who clearly wanted to help. Officers have carried out extensive enquiries and explored numerous leads.

“However, all these leads have now been exhausted without conclusion; consequently the information that has been received will remain on file in case any new information comes to light.”

The month-long probe saw numerous emergency services, Children’s Services and Health professionals appeal directly to the mother, who they believed may be suffering from the effects of post-partum depression, known as ‘baby blues’.

They also expressed concern that she may have contracted sepsis, having not given birth in the presence of maternity professionals. Island GPs subsequently offered their support services for free.

A direct line was set up for the mother to get in touch with midwife Jan Auffret (pictured above), but this was later retired when no calls were received. Instead, Children’s Services urged the mother to make contact with the Maternity Unit.