A newborn baby found dumped in a shopping bag on a London street on an ‘extremely cold’ -4C night was just an hour old and has been given the name Elsa by hospital staff, police revealed today.
Speaking at a press conference in Newham this afternoon, 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 said the infant – who was found by a dog walker at the junction of Greenway and High Street South in Newham, east London, at 9.13pm – was believed to be black or mixed race.
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.’
He said the dog walker was alerted to the baby’s presence by the sound of crying.
Chief Superintendent Simon Crick, local policing commander for north-east London, said today: ‘I’m delighted to report that she is not injured in any way’
A dog walker found the baby at 9.13pm on a bitterly cold night yesterday. Pictured: the scene
Andreea Maria Plic (left) and Tania Iurac saw several police officers at the area the baby had been abandoned last night
Local restaurant manager Tania Iurac told how she saw a ‘commotion’ while walking home from work after the newborn was left in a ‘really visible area’. Officers are now hoping the mother will come forward, having expressed concerns for her welfare.
Ms Iurac, 25, said she and her flatmate saw up to seven police officers at the scene around two hours after the baby was discovered.
‘I saw a commotion by Greenway park. We saw a white towel on the floor surrounded by six to seven police officers.
‘The towel was by a red route clearway sign. But the baby and the plastic bag weren’t there.
‘I think the mother wanted the baby to be found. The towel was in a really visible area next to the main road. It was absolutely freezing last night.’
Her friend Andreaa Plic, 26, explained that she was concerned by the number of officers in the area as she walked back from work at around 11pm and decided it was best to get home.
She told The Times: ‘I talked with my friend, Tania, and I said, let’s go outside to ask what happened. So when I go outside, I just saw the towel.’
Ms Iurac said that it was ‘horrible’ finding out someone had done this, but added to the newspaper: ‘She may be a teenager and being scared about what happened in her life and not being ready for it, and left it outside for someone to find it.’
Taxi driver Mohamed Ali, who lives close to the path in Newham, said: ‘I am very surprised to hear that a woman left her baby on the path.
‘It was so cold last night. It is a miracle that the baby did not die. Thanks to God the baby is alive.’
He added: ‘There was a lot of police activity last night about 10 o’clock. There was a helicopter in the sky above the path and lots of sirens.’
Newham Council have been contacted by the Met with regards to safeguarding the child in the short term.
Members of the public who may know the girl and may be able to identify her mother have been urged to contact the police at the earliest possible opportunity
Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE said: ‘I was deeply worried to learn of last night’s discovery of a newborn baby girl found wrapped in towels on the Greenway, particularly because of the extremely cold weather we have been experiencing this week.
‘That’s why I am so relieved that this precious baby girl is being looked after and doing well in hospital. I am so grateful to the resident who called the emergency services last night, as they have literally saved a life.
‘Council officers are supporting the Police with their investigations, and they are working tirelessly to find the mother as all of us are concerned for her safety and wellbeing which is paramount.
‘We are here to help, with plenty of local services available to support her with the sensitivity and care she deserves. Our thoughts are with both the mother and baby at what must be an extremely difficult time.’
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Metropolitan Police on 999, quoting reference CAD 6876/18 Jan.
The Borough of Newham Council was contacted for comment.
