Newborn Hospitalized After Being Found Alive Inside Shopping Bag on Freezing Night

Abigail Adams
·2 min read
1

Authorities said the newborn was discovered on a street corner in London — and that they are "extremely concerned" about the baby's mother

File: Getty Newborn baby
File: Getty Newborn baby

  • Police in London say a baby girl was found wrapped in a towel inside a shopping bag at a local intersection around 9:15 p.m. on Thursday

  • The child was hospitalized shortly after she was discovered by a person walking their dog

  • Authorities are "extremely concerned" about the mother and are looking to find her

A baby girl has been hospitalized after being found alive on a street corner in London as the city was experiencing freezing temperatures.

A member of the public was walking their dog Thursday night when they spotted the newborn “in a shopping bag” at the intersection of Greenway and High Street South, according to a news release from the Metropolitan Police.

The baby was also wrapped in a towel when she was discovered on the corner around 9:15 p.m. local time, police said.

Temperatures were around minus 3 degrees Celsius (26.6 degrees Fahrenheit) in London when the baby was found, according to Reuters and Sky News.

Related: Baby Adopted 10 Months After Being Found Abandoned in Florida Woods: 'Precious Angel'

The individual who found the child kept her warm “until London Ambulance Service paramedics arrived and checked her over before taking her to hospital,” Chief Superintendent Simon Crick said in the news release.

“I am delighted to report that she wasn't injured in any way and is safe and well in the care of hospital staff,” Crick added.

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Tania Iurac, a 25-year-old restaurant manager who lives near the intersection, told the PA news agency that there were “six to eight officers” at the scene when her friend returned home from work around 11 p.m. that evening, according to The Independent.

Iurac said “she went outside and asked the police for more information,” at which time she “saw a white towel” on the ground. “There were a lot of people asking questions,” she added. “I am just shocked.”

Related: Missing 2-Year-Old Girl Found in Woods by Deer Hunter Who Heard Her Cry: 'Miraculous Find'

Authorities are now “extremely concerned” about the child’s mother.

"She will have been through a traumatic ordeal and will be in need of immediate medical attention following the birth," Crick 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."

"If you are the baby’s mother please know that your daughter is well,” the chief superintendent added.

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