Newham: Newborn girl found in shopping bag less than hour old, police say

Image caption, The baby was found at the junction of Greenway and High Street South

A newborn girl found in a shopping bag in east London is thought to have been less than an hour old when she was found, the Met Police has said.

The baby was discovered wrapped in a towel inside the bag in Newham in sub-zero temperatures by a dog walker, who kept her warm until paramedics arrived.

Police said the baby, who has been named Elsa, was unharmed and is safe.

Officers are “extremely concerned” for the welfare of the girl’s mother and appealed for her to get in touch.

Police were called at about 21:15 GMT on Thursday when the dog walker found the baby at the junction of Greenway and High Street South.

In a news conference on Friday afternoon, the Met said staff at the hospital she was taken to had given her a temporary name of Elsa and believe she is a black or mixed race child.

Image caption, Ch Supt Crick said hospital staff had given the baby a temporary name of Elsa

Ch Supt Simon Crick said: “We believe Elsa to be less than an hour old when she was found. We do not know how long she had been there when she was found.”

He previously described how the walker’s actions in keeping the little girl warm “contributed to saving the baby’s life”.

‘Traumatic ordeal’

“Our thoughts now turn to the baby’s 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,” he said.

“Trained medics and specialist officers are ready to support her and we urge her to get in touch by phone or walk in to the nearest hospital or police station.”

Ch Supt Crick added: “Please know that your daughter is well, and no matter your circumstances, please do seek help by dialling 999.”

The force has also asked for anyone who thinks they know the mother to contact them.

The infant is the third to be found in Newham in four years, with a girl left in a park in February 2019, and a boy on the street in January 2020.

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