Baby girl left on stranger’s doorstep

POLICE were yesterday trying to trace the mother of a newborn baby found abandoned on a doorstep.

The child was discovered by a member of the public on the doorstep of her home in Thorpdale Road, Holloway, north London, at 5.10am on Monday.

The six-week-old baby girl had been wrapped in a blanket. Police say she could have been there for some time.

She was taken to the Whittington Hospital where staff caring for the child have named her Christina.

Police and social services are now trying to track down the baby’s mother.

Detective Inspector Colin Welsh, of Islington’s child protection unit, said it was unknown how long Christina had been on the doorstep before she was found.

“The person who lives at the address discovered Christina after she heard her crying and went to investigate.

“There is nothing to suggest she knew the baby or the mother and it is impossible to establish whether the mother was local to the area or just passing through.

“We understand that the mother may well be frightened and distressed, but we are here to offer every assistance. Our primary concern is her welfare and the safety of her baby.

“Christina is being well cared for and it is essential we trace mum as soon as possible,” he said.

He added that Christina was fit and healthy and that she would stay in hospital until tomorrow when she would be placed in temporary foster care.

Mr Welsh said: “We request any members of the public with information regarding the identity of the child’s mother or if they have noticed a female in the latter stages of pregnancy who is now without child, to come forward.”

He stressed that all calls would be treated in the strictest confidence.