Hospital staff in Toulouse were confronted with a deeply distressing scene when a young woman arrived carrying a dead baby inside a backpack.
A Distraught and Confused Arrival
The incident unfolded at the Toulouse University Hospital Centre at approximately 11am on Monday, 22 December. The woman, aged 23, was described by medical staff as "visibly distraught" and speaking incoherently.
Upon examination, medics discovered the infant in her backpack and determined the child had been deceased for "several hours". The senior nurse on duty immediately alerted the police.
Shifting Statements and a Murder Probe
Initial reports from French media indicate the woman first claimed a friend had given her the bag and asked her to dispose of it. She stated that upon discovering the contents, she decided to bring it to the hospital.
However, police sources provided a different account following a medical examination and her initial statements in custody. Investigators now believe she gave birth alone at her home on Sunday, 21 December, and is likely the child's mother.
The 23-year-old was taken into police custody, and a murder investigation was launched. An autopsy was scheduled for Tuesday, 23 December, to establish the exact cause of death. While the baby was initially thought to be stillborn, officers later confirmed it was a full-term infant.
Ongoing Investigation and Hospital Stay
The woman has remained under medical care in hospital following the traumatic event. Key questions about the precise circumstances leading to the newborn's death remain unanswered as the investigation continues.
This tragic case occurred amidst other incidents in Toulouse over the festive period. In a separate event on Sunday morning, a man was arrested after allegedly stabbing two roommates in the neck. Both victims were hospitalised but were reported to be recovering well from non-life-threatening injuries.
Furthermore, on Christmas Day, firefighters tackled a blaze in a four-storey building on Impasse des Hérons. Nineteen firefighters brought the fire under control, but one flat suffered significant smoke damage, leaving one person in need of emergency accommodation.
