£20,000 REWARD OFFERED AFTER NEWBORN BABY ABANDONED IN SHOPPING BAG
A heart-wrenching incident unfolded in London as a newborn baby was discovered abandoned in freezing temperatures. The baby girl, named Elsa after the frigid conditions she was found in, is one of three siblings abandoned in the same area over a span of seven years. As detectives continue their inquiries to locate the parents, who are of ongoing welfare concern, a £20,000 reward has been announced for any information that could lead to identifying the culprits.
The distressing event took place on January 18 last year, when a member of the public alerted the police at 9:13 pm about finding a newborn baby wrapped in a towel inside a Boots shopping bag near the junction of Greenway and High Street South in the eastern part of the city. The baby girl was less than an hour old when she was discovered. Surprisingly, her brother and sister had also been found abandoned in the same vicinity less than two years apart. Fortunately, the baby was unharmed and received medical attention as a precaution. After being discharged, she was placed under appropriate care.
The meticulous investigations by the Met’s Child Abuse Investigation Team revealed that Elsa is biologically related to two other babies named Roman and Harry, who were discovered under similar circumstances nearby in 2017 and 2019 respectively. Detective inspector Jamie Humm of the Metropolitan Police’s child abuse investigation team expressed grave concerns for the parents’ welfare, particularly the mother, and emphasized the need for public assistance in providing any information that could shed light on this unsettling case.
The year-long inquiry has involved an exhaustive review of over 450 hours of CCTV footage and a comprehensive DNA analysis of the mother. Collaborating with various experts, the police have reason to believe that the mother and possibly the father have been residing in the Plaistow or East Ham area over the past six years. The authorities urge anyone with even the smallest piece of information to come forward, reassuring the public of their ability to quickly eliminate any unrelated parties through forensic procedures.
To bolster the investigation, the independent charity Crimestoppers is facilitating a reward of up to £20,000 for any anonymous information provided to them. Tips can be shared with Crimestoppers through their website or by contacting their UK-based call center. The police encourage individuals, especially professionals in healthcare, education, or social services, to reflect on any encounters they may have had with the mother without realizing her circumstances at the time.
The distressing case of the three abandoned babies underscores the importance of community vigilance and support in safeguarding the welfare of vulnerable individuals, especially children. The authorities reassure the public of the babies’ current health and well-being while emphasizing the ongoing efforts to identify and locate their parents. With the collective effort of law enforcement, charities, and the public, there is hope that justice will prevail for baby Elsa and her siblings.