Police search for mother of newborn baby boy left at A&E

Sunday 18 March 2018

Police are looking for the mother of a newborn baby boy who was left at the Emergency Department at around 05:40 this morning.

The baby, who was found by hospital staff, still had his umbilical cord attached.

Following medical assessments, he has been described as “fit and well”.

Police are now hunting the mother in an urgent bid to check on her welfare.

CCTV footage revealed that two women – one of whom may have been the mother – left the child at the hospital.

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

It shows the two women walking through Parade Gardens from the direction of Rouge Bouillon, with one appearing to carry the baby. The woman holding the baby then enters the Accident and Emergency department, and exits shortly after without him. 

Both women can then be seen meeting up a short distance from the Emergency Department Door, before heading through Parade Gardens and towards Cannon Street.

Police are now appealing to two potential witnesses, who may be able to help with their enquiries: a man who entered A&E from the direction of Gloucester Street before the woman with the baby entered, and another woman who was using the cashpoint outside before entering a red car and driving in the direction of Gloucester Street. 

Pictured: Police want to hear from a man who entered A&E shortly before the woman carrying the baby, and another woman who used the nearby cashpoint.

However, their key focus is on contacting the mother, who they stress that they would like to support.

Superintendent James Wileman commented: “We are extremely worried about the welfare of the mother. She may have been one of the two people who left the baby in the care of the Emergency Department but this cannot be confirmed.

“I want to appeal directly to the mother so that we can offer her medical and emotional support. We know to do this she must have been desperate and by leaving the baby at the hospital we know she wanted him to be looked after and to know he was safe so our paramount concern now is for the mother’s safety and welfare.” 

At 5.40am this morning a baby boy was left at the hospital, he is doing fine but we are incredibly concerned for the mother. Can you help us?https://t.co/jr6O6aT8IW pic.twitter.com/2qDXm7W5tO

— States of Jsy Police (@JerseyPolice) March 18, 2018

Midwife Jan Auffret added: “We are concerned about the health of the mother of the baby boy and are appealing for her to come forward. You can contact me directly and I will be available to talk to you on 07797 710885. We would like to reassure mum that the baby boy is currently being cared for and looked after and is doing well. We want to ensure that mum is provided with the medical support she needs.”

Anyone with information should contact 612200 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.