Police have issued a new appeal for information about three babies abandoned shortly after birth by the same parents in East London. A £20,000 reward is being offered by Crimestoppers for any information that leads to identifying the parents.
It has been exactly one year since Baby Elsa was discovered alive in a shopping bag near the Greenway footpath, just an hour after her birth. To aid in the investigation, police have released a photo of the Boots carrier bag she was found in. When discovered, the baby was extremely cold, prompting hospital staff to name her “Elsa” after the character from the Disney movie Frozen.
Earlier, in September 2017, Baby Harry was found wrapped in a blanket shortly after birth. In February 2019, another newborn, named “Roman,” was found in freezing conditions, wrapped in a white towel and placed in a shopping bag.
DNA tests revealed to the East London Family Court last year confirmed that all three babies are full siblings. Their names have been changed for their protection, and all three are now in good health.
Over 450 hours of CCTV footage have been reviewed by the police, and they have created a full DNA profile of the children’s mother. Investigators believe the mother, and possibly the father, have been living in the Plaistow or East Ham areas for the past six years.
Detective Inspector Jamie Humm expressed serious concerns for the parents’ wellbeing, particularly the mother. He urged anyone who may have witnessed the mother’s pregnancies or had concerns about her welfare to come forward.
Humm stated that the three children are “thankfully” healthy but emphasized the importance of locating the parents.
As of December, the Family Court heard that Baby Elsa is still in foster care, where she is “doing very well.” The older siblings have been adopted, and plans for Elsa’s adoption are also in motion. However, due to the ongoing police investigation, the local authority cannot register Elsa’s birth or complete the necessary legal procedures for her adoption. This delay has raised concerns from the local authority, who are unable to present full evidence to the family court.
The court has held nine hearings on this case. In December, Senior Judge Carol Atkinson highlighted the uncertainty Baby Elsa faces while the legal process is still underway. She noted that foster carers cannot fully develop a relationship with Elsa, nor can she form connections with her older siblings.
Professor Lorraine Sherr, an expert on children abandoned at birth from University College London, commented on the impact of the delays. She described the situation as a “double whammy” for Elsa, who is unable to progress in her new life or build relationships with her siblings. She also noted that children abandoned at birth often spend decades searching for their parents, with some continuing this search into their 70s and 80s.
The police continue to urge anyone with information to come forward, no matter how small it may seem, as they work to uncover the whereabouts of the parents and bring closure to this case.
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