Welsh police appeal for help finding mother after newborn’s body discovered

Police in north Wales are searching for the mother of a newborn baby whose body was found on a shoreline in Bangor, near the Menai Strait, on Sunday. A member of the public discovered the body shortly before 5 p.m., North Wales police said. The baby’s age and sex have not been disclosed.

A postmortem examination was scheduled for Wednesday, according to the force. Health officials said their immediate concern was the mother’s wellbeing. Fiona Giraud, director of midwifery and women’s services at Betsi Cadwaladr University health board, said there were “real concerns” that the mother could be ill or vulnerable and afraid to seek help because she might identify herself.

Giraud appealed directly to the woman to contact a healthcare professional, approach a police officer or attend a police station. She said officials did not yet know the circumstances surrounding the baby’s death but wanted to find the mother, ensure she was safe and arrange any medical care or other support she might need. Detective Sergeant Kelly Wynne said police were also appealing to the baby’s father and to people who might have information, including friends, family members, neighbours and colleagues.

The force asked anyone who knew of a woman or girl who might have been pregnant, or whose behaviour had recently changed, to make contact. Wynne said the mother “desperately needs help” and that information would be treated with discretion. Police did not release the identity of the baby or mother and did not state whether anyone had been arrested.

The investigation remains focused both on identifying the mother and establishing the circumstances of the death. The supplied report gave no further details about the postmortem, the condition of the body or possible criminal offences.