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Police issue major update after three babies found abandoned in parks

18 June 2024 , 18:07
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Met Police officers have been trying to trace the parents of the three abandoned siblings (Image: Daily Mirror, Daily Express, Daily Star)
Met Police officers have been trying to trace the parents of the three abandoned siblings (Image: Daily Mirror, Daily Express, Daily Star)

Police trying to track down the parents of three babies who were left abandoned in London parks said there have been no new “significant leads”.

Earlier this month, the three babies – Baby Harry, Baby Roman and Baby Elsa – were confirmed to be siblings through a DNA test, prompting officers to launch a search for the parents. The tots were all discovered in the same area of east London in 2017, 2019 and 2024 respectively.

A judge ruled earlier this month that the link between the children could be reported. On Tuesday, the Metropolitan Police said the parents of the siblings remain unidentified, and that recent reporting of the case "did not generate any significant new leads". Detective Inspector Jamie Humm said: "The investigation to identify the parents of the three babies found abandoned in Newham continues.

Police issue major update after three babies found abandoned in parks eiqehiqztiqerprwThe most recent case saw Baby Elsa left in East Ham in January this year (PA)

He continued: "In the most recent case of Baby Elsa, we've gathered over 450 hours of CCTV, followed leads from relevant footage and spoken to members of the public alongside many numerous partner agencies and charities. The most recent update prompted a small number of calls to police but unfortunately these did not generate any significant new leads. We remain keen to hear from anyone who has information that could help us get some answers for baby Elsa.

Inspector Humm said further DNA testing to help undertsand the siblings' ancestry is ongoing in what he described as a "hugely complex" piece of work. He explained: "DNA work is also ongoing. We hope this might help understand their potential ancestry. This is a hugely complex and time-consuming piece of work that will take time to complete.

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"We have also had to be mindful of the sensitivities that exist now all of the children are being cared for. Their welfare, including their privacy, is paramount. Colleagues at Newham Council continue to ensure all of their welfare."

Police issue major update after three babies found abandoned in parksBaby Harry was the first to be found on a green in Plaistow, east London (PA)

Baby Elsa was believed to be less than an hour old when she was found abandoned in a shopping bag at the junction of Greenway and High Street South in East Ham on January 18 this year. Her sister, Baby Roman, was found in similar circumstances in a play area off Roman Road, Newham, in late January 2019, as freezing temperatures and snow gripped the capital.

In September 2017, Baby Harry was found wrapped in a white blanket in Balaam Street, Plaistow. Harry and Roman - not their real names - have since been adopted.

Officers believe a woman seen in the area just before Elsa was found may have vital information. She was wearing a large, dark-coloured coat with a light-coloured scarf or hood around her neck and was carrying a rucksack. Anyone with information is urged to contact police using the reference CAD 6876/18 Jan.

Callum Parke

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