In an urgent call for information regarding three newborns abandoned shortly after their births, a significant £20,000 reward has been offered by Crimestoppers. This appeal comes as part of a police investigation into a distressing series of incidents occurring in East London, specifically involving three siblings who have been left in vulnerable situations. Over the past few years, all three infants have been found abandoned under similarly alarming circumstances, raising significant concerns regarding their caregiving environment.
The search was reignited almost a year after the discovery of Baby Elsa, who was found just one hour old, wrapped in a shopping bag near the Greenway footpath on January 18, 2024. Authorities have shared a photograph of the specific dark blue Boots carrier bag in which Elsa was found as part of their efforts to raise awareness in the community. Due to the extremes of her abandonment conditions, hospital staff affectionately designated her the name “Elsa,” inspired by the character from Disney’s “Frozen.”
Baby Harry, the second sibling, was discovered in September 2017, carefully wrapped in a blanket, shortly after his birth. Meanwhile, the third sibling, Baby Roman, was found in equally chilling circumstances in February 2019; he had been placed in a shopping bag and wrapped in a white towel during a particularly cold Canadian winter. Following an investigation by the East London Family Court, DNA tests confirmed that these three abandoned children are indeed full siblings. Their names, however, have been changed for legal reasons, and all three are reportedly in good health under the care of Newham Children’s Services.
Police have been diligently examining over 450 hours of CCTV footage while also developing a comprehensive DNA profile for the children’s mother. Investigative specialists suspect that both the mother and potentially the father have resided within the Plaistow or East Ham areas for the past six years. Detective Inspector Jamie Humm expressed serious concerns regarding the wellbeing of the parents, particularly the mother, suggesting that community awareness around her pregnancies may have been more widespread than initially believed.
The police have directly urged anyone with any leads or information, no matter how trivial it may seem, to come forward in hopes of resolving the complex circumstances surrounding these abandoned infants. Thankfully, despite the traumatic beginnings of their lives, the three children, including Baby Elsa, are reported to be in good health, a hopeful detail amidst the ongoing investigation.
The case has developed beyond just the immediate search for the parents. Baby Elsa, who currently remains in foster care, is reportedly thriving, while her older siblings have already been adopted into new families. However, the local authority faces obstacles in formalizing Elsa’s adoption process due to the ongoing police investigation, which has hindered their ability to register her birth and move forward legally. Officials have expressed significant concern regarding the delay in the court proceedings, which has resulted in what has been described as an “ongoing state of uncertainty” for baby Elsa.
The senior judge overseeing this case at the East London Family Court, Judge Carol Atkinson, noted that the delay has impacted not only Elsa but the potential familial relationships with her siblings, which cannot progress while the legal processes are still active. Professor Lorraine Sherr from University College London, who specializes in research concerning children abandoned at birth, labeled the protraction of the court process as a profound hindrance. The unresolved situation leaves babies in a limbo, complicating their emotional development and understanding of familial connections. She highlighted that children abandoned at birth often carry the burden of searching for their biological parents throughout their lives, potentially into their 70s or 80s.
In summary, this harrowing case shines a light on the often unseen struggles faced by abandoned children and the complex fabric of their families. As East London Police continue their investigation, they remain hopeful that community engagement will lead to valuable information regarding the whereabouts of the children’s parents, thus providing a clearer path for all involved to achieve resolution and stability.
