The boy was believed to be no more than half an hour old when he was left at the Emergency Department at around 5.40 am on Sunday.
A major investigation was launched and health officials yesterday repeated calls for the woman to come forward, saying that she is ‘at risk of suffering complications’ and could develop sepsis if she is not seen by medical professionals soon.
Yesterday, police and health staff stepped up their plea for friends and family of the mother to contact them. Midwife Jan Auffret said the mother could be at risk of developing sepsis as ‘we don’t know the conditions this lady gave birth in’.
The baby, who has been given a name which has not been made public, is being cared for at the Hospital. However, concerns for the mother’s safety and welfare remains the focus of the police investigation. And officers are planning to speak to expectant mothers in the hope that someone may know the identity of the woman.
CCTV footage released by the police shows two women – one carrying the baby – walk from the direction of Parade Gardens towards the Hospital before one of them enters and leaves the baby for hospital staff to find. It is still not known whether either of these women is the baby’s mother.
In a press conference yesterday, Detective Chief Inspector Alison Fossey asked the mother or her family and friends to call Ms Auffret directly on 07797 710885. Members of the public with information are asked to call States police on 612200.
Det Chief Insp Fossey said: ‘The little boy continues to do well, he’s feeding and is being well cared for at the Hospital.
‘Our concern now remains for the mother and we appeal to not only her but her family and friends to come forward.
‘We are still unsure whether the mother is one of the two people seen in the CCTV, but we do know that if she is, at least one other person knows about the baby.
‘We have spoken to medical experts this morning and although we don’t know the details of the birth it is likely that the mother is at risk of, or, suffering complications following the birth. Jan can offer advice to anyone concerned about the mother and about what she should do. Please call her.’
Susan Devlin, head of Children’s Services, said childbirth could be ‘exhaustive and traumatic’ even when health staff are on hand and it was vital the mother comes forward to make sure she is safe.
Speaking directly to the baby’s mother, she said: ‘I’d like to ask you to do something for him: as we all grow up we want to know where we come from, maybe who we look like in our wider family. Your baby will be no different as he grows up and it’s important that we have some information to give him. We will give you all the help and support that we can.’
