A MAN HAS been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a newborn baby was found abandoned in a hospital toilet in Wigan.
Shortly after 12am today, police were called to the Royal Albert Infirmary when a newborn baby boy was found in the toilets of the hospital’s accident and emergency department.
The baby was found by security staff at the hospital and taken into the A&E ward where he was resuscitated and is now doing well.
Police arrested a 31-year-old man on suspicion of attempted murder.
The A&E department was closed overnight but is now open as usual.
Appeal
Detective Inspector Martin Reddington, from Greater Manchester Police’s Wigan borough, said:
This is an awful situation, I am just so happy I am able to say that the baby boy is doing well.
“We have made an arrest and we will be thoroughly investigating how this happened.
“We are appealing for anyone who may have been in the A&E department between 7pm and midnight and perhaps saw a man and a woman in and around the toilets or saw anything unusual to get in touch with police as soon as possible.
I would like to take this opportunity to praise the staff at the Royal Albert Infirmary, without doubt their heroic actions saved the life of this new born baby.
Andrew Foster, chief executive of Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust, said:”I would like to thank all staff who were involved for their professionalism and calmness during the incident, particularly the diligent member of staff who discovered the baby and raised the alarm.
“I’m very proud of the way our staff worked, their quick response without doubt saved the baby’s life.”
Anyone with any information has been asked to contact police on 0161 856 7124, 101 or anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say