Police appeal after 16-week foetus found outside Barnet hospital

UPDATE FEBRUARY 3: Police say they are satisfied as to the parents’ welfare, that the circumstances are not suspicious, and that no offences have been committed.​

Police have launched an urgent appeal for information after a 16-week old foetus was found outside a hospital in north London.

Officers were called to Barnet hospital shortly after 9am on Monday (January 30) following the discovery inside a box.

The matter is currently being treated as unexplained, and officers are urging the mother to come forward as there are concerns for her welfare.

Det Insp Matt Coad said: “At this moment, our priority is to ensure that the mother is okay and that she receives the appropriate medical attention.

“This is likely to be a traumatic time for her, and I would ask that she makes contact either with us, her local GP or a hospital.

“We believe that the box was left by a man, aged in 30s, who was wearing dark clothing. I would also encourage him to come forward so that we can help.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police via 101 quoting reference CAD 1599/30Jan.