MUM OF ABANDONED BABY STILL NOT FOUND, COURT HEARS

The mother of a baby abandoned in a shopping bag has still not been identified, a court heard.

The girl was found by a dog walker in freezing temperatures in Newham, east London, at about 21:15 GMT on 18 January. She was wrapped in a towel in a reusable shopping bag.

She was named Elsa by hospital staff because of the sub-zero temperatures on the night she was found.

East London Family Court heard the child's mother had not come forward.

Police inquiries into her identity are continuing.

Kate Claxton, for Newham Borough Council, told the court: "The police currently have no leads."

She said the ongoing investigation meant Elsa's birth could not be registered, so a final decision about her care could not be made.

• Details of woman released after baby found in bag
• Abandoned baby leaves hospital with foster parents
• Newborn girl found in bag less than hour old

The court was previously told Elsa was born about an hour before she was abandoned and still had her umbilical cord.

Doctors believe she was a full-term baby and weighed 6lbs 6oz (2.9kg) when she was found, court documents showed.

She was said to be medically fit and was discharged to foster parents on 23 January.

Judge Carol Atkinson adjourned the case until 17 May.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected]

2024-04-16T13:19:40Z dg43tfdfdgfd