Police have launched an urgent search for Charlotte Bevan, 30, who disappeared from St Michael's Hospital in Bristol on Tuesday evening with her four-day-old daughter, Zaani Tiana. Ms Bevan left the hospital between 20:30 and 21:00 GMT without a coat or shoes, wearing only hospital slippers, while her baby was wrapped in blankets.
Despite extensive searches in nearby Royal Fort Gardens and the former Hospital for Sick Children, no trace has been found. Forensics teams removed a wheelie bin wrapped in tarpaulin from the area. Police are acting on several unconfirmed sightings of Ms Bevan near the hospital.
Ms Bevan's partner, Pascal Mabrouck, appealed for her return, saying: 'We care for her and we want her to return home and we just want some news that she is safe with our daughter.' He urged anyone with information to contact police.
A police spokesman expressed concern for the pair, stating: 'Charlotte may appear confused and worried and her baby is inappropriately wrapped for the cold weather.' University Hospitals Bristol confirmed Ms Bevan discharged herself for 'reasons unknown' and that staff raised the alarm when they found her missing at 21:05.
Friends described the disappearance as 'out of character'. One friend, Isaac Jack McCardle, searched for hours and said: 'I was in a warm coat and now I'm back home and chilled to the bone so it is worrying.' Police are appealing to bus drivers, taxi drivers, and early commuters to look out for Ms Bevan, described as white, 5ft 8in, with dark wavy hair, wearing a black top and black trousers. Anyone who sees her is asked to call 999 immediately.
