'Priority is to help the baby's mother'
DETECTIVES are appealing for the driver of a car seen in a street where a baby was abandoned to come forward in an urgent attempt to trace the infant's mother.
The baby boy was discovered on the steps of an Islamic centre in Shelton, in a John Smith's Bookshop bag wrapped in pages from the Staffordshire Newsletter newspaper, dated 21 January 2010.
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DISCOVERY: Police at Beresford Street, in Shelton, last Saturday, when the newborn baby boy was found outside an Islamic Centre. Right, how we reported the story on Monday.
Almost a week on from the discovery at the centre in Beresford Street at 10.30am on Saturday, police say their priority is to trace the boy's mother.
The baby was pronounced dead at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire at 12.30pm that day.
Police are trying to trace the driver and/or occupants of a Peugeot 406 parked near the mosque earlier that morning.
They are also studying CCTV footage from the Shelton area and appealing to students and staff at nearby Stoke-on-Trent College and Staffordshire University to get in touch if they remember anything unusual.
Chief Inspector Wayne Jones, pictured, from Stoke-on-Trent division, said: "At the one week anniversary our priority is to find the mother of this baby boy and give her the help and support she needs.
"We are also keen to speak to the driver and/or occupants of a Peugeot 406 vehicle, first sighted in the area at 5am last Saturday, which reversed from College Road into Beresford Street. This vehicle remained parked up for about an hour, before turning right out of Beresford Street and on to College Road.
"The driver and/or occupants of this vehicle could be key witnesses, and we would urge them to get in touch.
"Officers are visiting properties in the immediate area of the Islamic centre.
"We are also appealing directly to the mother's family and friends to come forward.
"Have you noticed a sudden change in behaviour, or ill health, in a woman you are close to? Are you concerned about this person? If so, please get in touch.
"Dedicated appeals to the immediate community, and staff and students from neighbouring educational facilities are also being issued."
Officers are carrying out high visibility patrols in the Beresford Street area today, stopping motorists and pedestrians to gather any bit of information to help them find the mother.
Hundreds of leaflets have been posted in the community directly appealing to the woman to come forward and it is believed the person who left the baby outside the mosque has local knowledge of the Stoke-on-Trent area.
A Home Office post mortem examination held on Monday did not establish a cause of death for the baby and further tests will be carried out.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission is investigating police actions after reports of the discovery of the baby.
Anyone with information can contact Beresford Street Incident Room on 0300 123 44 55 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
5 Comments
by Dot, newcastle
Friday, March 12 2010, 9:28PM
“Jess, newcastle, you are speculating when it is not required for you to do so. A child has died and we know absolutely nothing of the circumstances. I suggest you keep your comments to your self and show the child some respect.”
by Mick Penning, newcastle, staffs
Friday, March 12 2010, 6:38PM
“Until we know all the facts .... circumstances surrounding this sad bereaved mother, who must be in some desperate situation not to come forward .... Through either shame, or fear of both, we can't really comment
-except to extend our sympathy and hope that she finds the strength to resolve her problems sooner rather than later.”
by lyn, trent vale
Friday, March 12 2010, 1:06PM
“well its thanks 2 the massively quick actions of the lads at newcastle police station that my son is alive and serving his queen and country,he had a very silly accident that left him with severe head injuries,he was helped to the steps of the station, no one would help becus he was covered in blood and acting really drunk,thank god the lad who ran 2 him noticed spinal fluid leaking from his ears and sprang 2 action...this in no doubt saved his life,i dont think it`s fair to hear the local police being `rubished` like this, i will b forever in their debt”
by Jess, Newcastle
Friday, March 12 2010, 12:42PM
“Unless the so called 'Honour Killers' have got to this poor girl first.”
by Jacqueline Patel, West Sussex
Friday, March 12 2010, 10:29AM
“This poor girl/woman must have been so desperate for help. I hope that her parents can live with themselves as she obviously didn't feel she could talk to them.”