A 39-year-old mother has been sentenced at the Old Bailey after abandoning her newborn baby in a plastic bag near a busy east London footpath.
The court heard how the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, gave birth alone at home before wrapping the infant in a towel and placing them inside a plastic bag. She then left the bag near a footpath close to her residence in Newham.
Miraculous Discovery
The baby's cries were heard by a member of the public who made the shocking discovery on the afternoon of September 17th last year. Emergency services were immediately called to the scene.
Prosecutors described how the infant was found "cold to the touch" but breathing. The child was rushed to hospital where medical staff confirmed the baby was only hours old when abandoned.
Sentencing and Aftermath
Judge Mark Lucraft KC handed down a sentence that reflected the seriousness of the offence while acknowledging the defendant's mental health struggles at the time.
The court was told the mother had concealed her pregnancy from family and friends and had acted in a state of panic following the unexpected birth.
Social services have confirmed the baby is now in foster care and is reported to be "thriving" despite the traumatic start to life.
Detective Inspector James Green, who led the investigation, stated: "This was a deeply distressing case for all involved. The member of the public who found the baby undoubtedly saved their life through their quick thinking and actions."
The case has raised awareness about safe haven options for mothers in crisis, with authorities reminding women that support is available through the NHS, social services, and various charities.
