Baby Elsa found in Newham: Search for mother continues

A week since the newborn's discovery at the junction of Greenway and High Street South in East Ham by a dog walker, police have released details of two people they wish to speak to in connection with their enquiries.

Ch Supt Simon Crick said Baby Elsa is safe and well, and has now left hospital.

He added: "A week on, I firstly want to thank media and the public who have shared our appeal up and down the country. I know how concerned everyone is for Baby Elsa and her mother’s welfare.

"Since our first appeal we’ve had 17 reports from the public sharing information and I can assure people that every single one is assessed and progressed where that information is thought helpful.

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“My team are continuing their work. We’ve collected a considerable volume of CCTV footage.

"While we’re still examining it in detail, we have identified a woman we would like to speak to, and a witness who may have seen her."

Simon Crick has released details of who police believe to be the mother of Baby Elsa and a potential witness. (Image: Yui Mok/PA Wire)

The woman police wish to trace was seen entering the Greenway from High Street South at 8.45pm on January 18. 

Elsa was found by a dog walker just half an hour later, wrapped in a towel inside of a re-usable shopping bag at the junction of Greenway and High Street South.

Ch Supt Crick said: “We believe the woman is black, was wearing a large dark coat with a light coloured scarf or hood around her neck and had a rucksack on her back.

“We believe this woman entered The Greenway from High Street South and left the Greenway heading in the direction of Fabian Street."

He also described a potential witness who police believe may have seen the woman of interest in the surrounding area.

RELATED: Newborn baby found in shopping bag by dog walker in Newham

The potential witness was described as a male, wearing a dark coat with hood and a backpack, either item with a reflective strip to the back of it.

He was seen leaving the Greenway at 9.10pm.

She was found in a bag just yards from the road. (Image: Yui Mok/PA Wire)

Officers have carried out door-to-door enquiries, visited businesses, social services, charities and hospitals and are now following several leads. 

Ch Supt Crick said police investigations have so far suggested that the mother concealed her pregnancy before giving birth to Elsa.

He added: "Lastly, I’d like to say that although comments online have been largely incredibly kind, supportive and understanding, there have been a small number of abusive and negative comments that are both unnecessary and unhelpful.

"All of us are looking at this from a position of privilege in that we have no idea what Baby Elsa’s mother is going through.

"Please consider what you post – and the possibility that she might even read it – and help us with our primary aim of identifying her to make sure that she’s OK.”

If you believe you know who the child's mother is, please call 999 ref CAD 6876/18 Jan.