A BABY found dumped in a shopping bag in freezing temperatures is now in foster care while cops continue to hunt for her mum.
Baby Elsa was found crying by a dog walker in Newham, East London, last Thursday.
PABaby Elsa was found in a shopping bag in Newham[/caption]
She was less than an hour old when the discovery was made but survived thanks to the quick-thinking actions of the passer-by.
East London Family Court has now given an update on the baby’s care after she was discharged from hospital.
Judge Carol Atkinson was told Elsa’s parents still have not come forward despite an urgent plea by police, BBC reports.
She issued an interim care order for the baby, requested by Newham Borough Council, and is now being looked after by her foster parents.
The order gives the council parental responsibility for Elsa while her family are identified and remains in place until the court decides where her permanent home should be.
Documents show Elsa was born around an hour before she was abandoned with her umbilical cord still attached.
It is believed she must have been extremely cold when she was discovered as it took medics three hours before they could record her temperature.
Despite this, the brave newborn was crying and responsive the whole time and was fed well by the staff who named her that night, it was said.
Elsa was a full-term baby and weight 6lbs 6oz when she was found.
The court was also told her appointed guardian has requested to change the newborn’s name as it could be “gimmicky” later in life.
But Judge Carol Atkinson said the name was “something they can hang on to” after losing everything the night she was born.
Officers launched an urgent appeal to find the baby’s mum amid fears she could require medical treatment.
Chief Superintendent Simon Crick, who leads policing in Newham, said: “I am grateful to the members of the public who stayed at the scene to speak with officers and medics – your actions contributed to saving the baby’s life.
“Our thoughts now turn to the baby mother; we are extremely concerned for her welfare as she will have been through a traumatic ordeal and will be in need of immediate medical attention following the birth.
“Trained medics and specialist officers are ready to support her and we urge her to get in touch by phone or walk in to the nearest hospital or police station.
“If you are the baby’s mother please know that your daughter is well, no matter what your circumstances please do seek help by dialling 999.”
Police said the baby was found at the junction of Greenway and High Street South at around 9.13pm last Thursday.
The discovery came as temperatures plummeted overnight to -4C in London overnight.
Anyone with information on who the baby’s mother may be can call 999 quoting ref CAD 6876/18 Jan.
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