The mum of a newborn baby found in a plastic bag in East London over a week ago is still yet to come forward.
The tiny infant was dumped by a junction in Beckton, near Newham, on January 18. A dog walker came across the child at 9.13pm wrapped in a towel inside a shopping bag as temperatures plummeted below zero. They acted quickly to keep the baby warm and alerted authorities.
Paramedics from London Ambulance Service rushed to the scene. The member of the public was credited with helping to save her life. The child - understood to be Black or mixed race - was taken to hospital where staff gave her the temporary name Elsa. But despite numerous appeals released by the Met Police, the missing mum is yet to come forward.
The baby has now been placed in temporary foster care after being discharged from hospital. The Met has confirmed to the Mirror no contact has been made by the baby's mum before issuing descriptions of two people - including a woman - they are keen to trace. Following the discovery, officers were pictured standing at the entrance to Greenford Park.
Chief Superintendent Simon Crick, local policing commander for north-east London, said during a press briefing the child was not injured in any way. He added investigators are "extremely concerned" for the mum's welfare and that trained medics and specialist officers will support her.
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He said: "If you are the baby’s mother, please know that your daughter is well. No matter what your circumstances please do seek help."
Below are all details currently available, as well as a timeline of events
Police are yet to make contact with the child's mum (Daily Mirror, Daily Express, Daily Star)Baby found by dog walker
A member of the public out walking their dog called police at 9.13pm on Thursday, January 18 after finding the baby girl in a shopping bag. She had been wrapped in a towel. They remained at the scene at the junction of Greenway and High Street South while paramedics were dispatched and the baby was taken to hospital.
They were credited by investigators of having helped to save the infant's life. The baby was taken to hospital where staff gave her the temporary name Elsa.
What police have said
Speaking at a press conference in Newham on Friday, January 19, Chief Superintendent Simon Crick, local policing commander for north-east London, said the child was not injured in any way and was now being cared for in hospital. He added she had been given the temporary name and was believed to be Black or mixed race.
He said police were "extremely concerned" for the mum's welfare and said members of the public saved the baby's life after she was found at the junction of Greenway and High Street South. Making an appeal for the mother to come forward, Mr Crick said: “We are extremely concerned for her welfare as she would have been through a traumatic ordeal and will be in need of immediate medical attention following the birth.
“Trained medics and specialist officers are ready to support her and we urge her to get in touch by phone or walk into the nearest hospital or police station. If you are the baby’s mother, please know that your daughter is well. No matter what your circumstances please do seek help.”
In an initial statement, he said: "Last night we were called by a member of the public out walking their dog, who had discovered a newborn baby in a shopping bag at the junction of Greenway and High Street South, E6. Thinking fast, that person kept the baby girl warm until London Ambulance Service paramedics arrived and checked her over before taking her to hospital. I am delighted to report that she wasn’t injured in any way and is safe and well in the care of hospital staff.
“I am grateful to the members of the public who stayed at the scene to speak with officers and medics – your actions contributed to saving the baby’s life. Our thoughts now turn to the baby mother; we are extremely concerned for her welfare as she will have been through a traumatic ordeal and will be in need of immediate medical attention following the birth."
Chief Superintendent Simon Crick (PA)Witness
Restaurant manager Tania Iurac, 25, who lives nearby, said at the time of the discovery: “My friend came home from work at around 11pm and she told me a lot of police officers were outside with a dog and the area was closed.
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“I was worried. We went outside and asked the police for more information. I saw a white towel on the floor. It was clothing. It did not have blood on it or anything. The baby was not in there. There was… I would say six to eight police officers around. There were a lot of people asking questions. I am just shocked.” She said she did not know the identity of the mother.
Foster Care
An interim care order for the baby requested by Newham Borough Council was granted by Judge Carol Atkinson, after East London Family Court heard this week that Elsa's parents had still not come forward and that authorities had no information about her identity. The child has been placed in temporary foster care after being discharged from hospital.
Descriptions
On Friday police issued descriptions of two people they are looking to trace. Both were seen by The Greenway - a woman, described as Black, wearing a large dark coat with a light coloured scarf or hood around her neck and a rucksack on her back. The other was a person who could have seen her. They are believed to be male, wearing a dark coloured hooded coat, with a backpack; the coat or backpack has a reflective strip on the rear of it.
Timeline
January 18
Baby girl - just hours old - found wrapped in towel inside plastic shopping bag in Beckton by member of public before being taken to hospital, wher staff give her the temporary name 'Elsa'.
January 19
The Met Police released an appeal asking for the mum to come forward before Chief Superintendent Simon Crick, local policing commander for north-east London, held a press conference in Newham.
January 23
A force spokesman confirmed to the Mirror no contact had been made with the child's mother.
January 25
It's revealed the infant has been placed in temporary foster care after being discharged from hospital.
January 26
Police issued description of two people - including a woman - they are keen to trace .
If you believe you know who the child's mother is, please call 999 ref CAD 6876/18 Jan.
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