Fears for the safety of a mother who abandoned her one-hour old baby in a shopping bag at a London crossroads, as the city faced temperatures below freezing, have grown.
Elsa was found at 9:13pm on Thursday night by a dog walker, who stumbled on the then-hour old baby at Greenway and High Street South crossroads in Newham, east London.
The identity of the mother of Elsa, who was named after the Frozen character by hospital staff after she managed to survive temperatures of -4C, is not yet known, and authorities have appealed for her to come forward.
Chief Superintendent Simon Crick, local policing commander for north-east London, said at a press conference on Friday: ‘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.’
Chief Superintendent Simon Crick (pictured) said the Met was looking to speak to Elsa’s mother
Elsa was found at the crossroads of Greenway and High Street South (pictured)
Hospital staff named Elsa after the main character in Frozen, who has the power to manipulate ice
The Met Police had no update to share on whether the mother has come forward, or whether there was any change to Elsa’s welfare, when contacted for comment by today.
A spokesperson said the force would be touching base with the team caring for Elsa in hospital later today.
Crick said at the press conference that Elsa, believed to be black or mixed race, was found by the dog walker after they heard the baby crying.
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.
Andreea Maria Plic (left) and Tania Iurac saw several police officers at the area the baby had been abandoned last night
‘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.’
A dog walker found the baby at 9.13pm on a bitterly cold night yesterday. Pictured: the scene
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 [on Thursday]. 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 has been contacted by the Met with regards to safeguarding the child in the short term.
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.