Mother, 43, of seven-week-old baby girl is arrested after ‘snatching infant from hospital’

Mother, 43, of seven-week-old baby girl is arrested after ‘snatching infant from hospital’ – as police probe two women accused of helping abduction

  • The baby was taken from Heartlands Hospital in Birmingham at 8.30am Sunday 
  • Major police operation was then launched to locate missing mother and child 
  • They were found at a property in Birmingham with the mother than arrested 

A mother has been arrested on suspicion of child abduction after a seven-week-old baby was snatched from a hospital.

The baby girl, who is subject to child protection arrangements, was taken from Heartlands Hospital, in Birmingham at 8.30am yesterday morning.

A major police operation was then launched throughout the day to locate the missing mother and child.

They were both found safe and well at a property in Sparkhill, Birmingham, 12 hours later just before 8.30pm.

The baby was taken from Heartlands Hospital, in Birmingham at 8.30am yesterday morning

Mother and baby were both found safe and well at a property in Sparkhill, Birmingham, 12 hours later just before 8.30pm

Mother and baby were both found safe and well at a property in Sparkhill, Birmingham, 12 hours later just before 8.30pm

The 43-year-old mother is now in custody on suspicion of child abduction, police said

The 43-year-old mother is now in custody on suspicion of child abduction, police said

West Midlands Police said the 43-year-old mother is now in custody on suspicion of child abduction.

Earlier in the afternoon two women were also arrested for assisting an offender and have been released pending further investigation.

Detective Inspector Neil Hunt said: ‘It has been our absolute priority throughout the day to ensure the safety of the baby girl and I am happy to say that she has been well cared for.

‘Sadly, it has been necessary to arrest her mother, but we will be working with partner agencies to achieve the best outcome for the child.’