Siblings Abandoned in London: Three Babies Found in East London Over Seven Years

Police in east London are currently looking for the parents of three babies who were left abandoned in shopping bags and blankets over the past seven years.

According to a court report on Monday, one of the babies, named Elsa, was discovered in a park during cold weather in January. It was revealed that Elsa is actually a sibling to two other newborns, known in local media as Roman and Harry, who were also abandoned nearby in 2017 and 2019.

All three babies were discovered alive and received immediate care. The two older infants have been adopted since then, as reported by PA Media.

However, the recent court decision on Monday reveals a concerning trend in the London borough of Newham.

In September 2017, Harry was discovered wrapped in a blanket in a small park. Despite police appeals for the mother to step forward, she never did.

A year and a half later, Roman was found in a different nearby park, also wrapped in a blanket and a shopping bag. The man who found her described the child as having a cold forehead, with snow falling shortly after. This was shared with the BBC in 2019.

In January this year, Elsa was found a very short walk away from the same location. She was discovered wrapped in towels by a dog walker just after 9 p.m., as reported by the police.

The person who found Elsa acted quickly, keeping the baby girl warm until London Ambulance Service paramedics arrived. Chief Superintendent Simon Crick mentioned in a statement that paramedics checked her over before taking her to the hospital.

Crick expressed gratitude to the members of the public who stayed at the scene to talk to officers and medics, stating that their actions helped save the baby's life.

Just like her sister Roman, Elsa was abandoned in the freezing cold of January. The Metropolitan Police mentioned that it was "highly likely" that Elsa was born after a "concealed pregnancy," as reported by PA Media.

Police are asking for assistance in identifying a woman who was spotted wearing a big dark coat with a light-colored scarf or hood and carrying a rucksack on her back. This woman was seen shortly before Elsa was discovered. The authorities believe she may have crucial information regarding how Elsa ended up in the location where she was found.

DNA testing confirmed that the three babies are siblings. The police were aware that the children are Black and related, and a judge ruled on Monday to lift reporting restrictions. This decision allows the media to share details about the case involving the siblings.

According to PA Media, the judge stated that in this country, it is very rare for a baby to be abandoned. There are even years where no children are abandoned. That's why when a child is abandoned, it becomes a story of public interest.

Editor's P/S:

The article exposes a chilling reality of child abandonment in East London, where three babies were cruelly left in vulnerable situations over the past seven years. Elsa, Harry, and Roman's stories raise serious concerns about the welfare of newborns and the need for support systems for struggling mothers. The fact that these babies were discovered alive and received care is a testament to the vigilance of members of the public and the dedication of emergency services. However, it's heartbreaking to consider the emotional and physical distress endured by these infants before being rescued.

The authorities' appeal for information regarding the mother of these siblings highlights the importance of understanding the circumstances leading to such desperate measures. It's crucial that we address the societal factors that contribute to child abandonment, such as lack of access to healthcare, poverty, and stigma surrounding unplanned pregnancies. By providing comprehensive support and education, we can work towards preventing these tragedies and safeguarding the well-being of all children.