Three newborn babies, all abandoned in east London shortly after their birth, have sparked a significant police investigation. Baby Elsa, left in a Boots carrier bag near a footpath in Newham on 18 January 2024, was found by a dog walker. The subsequent DNA tests revealed that she was the sibling of two other babies, a boy and a girl, who were discovered in similar circumstances in 2017 and 2019. Despite extensive police appeals, the parents of these three babies remain unidentified.
In their search for the parents, detectives have focused their efforts on approximately 400 nearby houses. Over the past five weeks, officers have allowed BBC News access to part of their operation, including interviewing residents for DNA samples and contacting individuals in the national DNA database who may be related to the babies’ mother. Despite these efforts, the identity of the parents remains a mystery. Officers revealed that Elsa, the youngest of the siblings, is a bright and engaging toddler.
The first baby, Harry, was found in September 2017, a mile to the west of where Elsa was abandoned. His sister, Roman, was discovered on a bench in the children’s play park 16 months later. DNA tests later confirmed that Harry and Roman were full siblings. Detective Inspector Jamie Humm, the senior investigating officer, expressed belief that the babies’ mother may be unable to come forward due to constraints or health issues. Experts have suggested that the mother is likely familiar with the local area and is able to avoid surveillance measures.
Detective Superintendent Lewis Basford has acknowledged the challenges in identifying the parents and emphasized the efforts to explore new lines of investigation. By utilizing DNA testing in innovative ways and focusing on addresses close to where the babies were abandoned, investigators are working diligently to unravel the mystery behind the abandoned newborns. The local community, including the East Ham Baptist Church, continues to show support and prayers for the infants and their unknown parents
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
