Police say they’ve found the mother of a newborn boy left on a doorstep in London, Ont., earlier this week.
“We would like to thank the public for their compassion and engagement in this situation. Thankfully, everyone is safe,” said Det. Insp. Sean Travis.
The baby was found on the front stoop of a home on Sterling Street in northeast of downtown on Wednesday.
He was left swaddled in a flannel blanket and with an accompanying note that urged whoever found the child to take care of him.
The baby was taken to hospital and is healthy. Police were concerned about the mother’s health and appealed to the public for help to locate her. The Children’s Aid Society (CAS) is involved in the case.
“As the investigation progresses, we will be limited in what information can be provided to respect the privacy of everyone involved,” Travis said.
There are several reasons why a parent may surrender their baby or feel they’re unable to care for them, CAS said, including mental health or economic and social challenges.
“Sometimes people don’t have a lot of supports connected to them, so they may feel isolated and alone and not sure how to navigate their pregnancy,” said Carrie Thomas, director of service at the Children’s Aid Society London and Middlesex (CASLM).
While unable to comment on specifics of this case, Thomas said when a baby does enters its care, connecting with the family is a priority.
“We have an obligation to work on reunification with a parent,” Thomas said, adding efforts are always made to seek out a child’s extended family members, before considering foster care as an option.
