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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

When police say they are 'concerned' for mothers who abandon babies do they want to prosecute them?

103 replies

thebings · 01/02/2019 12:52

Not exactly an AIBU but wasn't sure where to put this...

I just saw a news article about a baby being abandoned in London on Thursday night, poor thing. I'm glad she was found!

One of the quotes from the article is that police are becoming increasingly concerned for the mother.

There are always quotes from police along these lines when this sort of thing happens, and I suppose my question is, do you think are they concerned for her health due to her possibly needing medical care having just given birth?

Or are they mainly saying that to try and get her to come forward without being afraid of prosecution (and would the mother be prosecuted in this kind of situation)?

I'm just curious really!

OP posts:
babysharkah · 01/02/2019 12:53

I've always assumed it would be for their health.

Original poster
thebings · 01/02/2019 12:54

Also they always say they want to reunite the baby with her mother - really?! She abandoned the baby for a reason, presumably?

OP posts:
Pinkcottonshirt · 01/02/2019 12:54

I would think all three - concerned for physical well-being, emotional well-being and to encourage people to come forward.

Youshallnotpass · 01/02/2019 12:54

I think there is a level of compassion and concern as to what would leave a woman to abandon their baby in a park. This isn't a rational decision so there could be severe mental health issues at bay, or potential abuse.

I believe it is genuine concern, that doesn't mean to say there won't be charges brought (if it turns out to be malicious etc)

Dextrodependant · 01/02/2019 12:55

I always assumed it was concern for their health, both physical and mental.

CatnissEverdene · 01/02/2019 12:56

I'd say it's done out of genuine concern for their post natal health, nothing more and to get the relevant authorities involved.

Anyone abandoning a baby is likely to be in a very bad state of mind.

badlydrawnperson · 01/02/2019 12:56

do you think are they concerned for her health due to her possibly needing medical care having just given birth?

I think it's a way of saying they are concerned for her physical and mental health. Abandoning a child isn't a minor thing so the Mum must have other issues going on.

BigMamaFratelli · 01/02/2019 12:56

Generally the police are genuinely just concerned for the mother's welfare. It would be unusual for the police to seek a prosecution, even more so for the CPS to pursue it. It does happen, but only in a tiny minority of cases.

Original poster
thebings · 01/02/2019 12:56

@Youshallnotpass I guess that's what I mean - I'm sure they are concerned for her physical health, but I suppose it comes across as a bit misleading. Like, come forward and get medical treatment. But then we'll probably charge you (but they don't mention that).

OP posts:
BinaryStar · 01/02/2019 12:57

It’s a horrid situation that people only do if truly desperate. Normally there will be significant medical, family social issues at play where both mother and child need support. Sometimes the mother has given birth alone, perhaps because they hadn’t acknowledged the pregnancy, and may need medical help.

Kikipost · 01/02/2019 12:58

Please show just one case where the police have said they are keen to reunite a baby with a mother who has abandoned the baby?

Concerned for welfare, yes. Reunite, no

MrsJayy · 01/02/2019 12:58

It is a concern wellbeing First second and third surely

SpinneyHill · 01/02/2019 13:00

Post delivery complications can kill quickly, mental health, possible 3rd party involvement/DV/abuse concerns

dustyparadeground · 01/02/2019 13:00

Saw this story and my first thought was what a night to abandon a newborn baby, thank God she was found. My second thought is what state the mum must be in? To be driven to this course of action? She surely needs some help, medical or otherwise.

Original poster
thebings · 01/02/2019 13:00

@Kikipost It's in the article about the baby abandoned in London on Thursday:

In a direct appeal to the child's mother, Inspector Shane Clarke of North East Command Unit, said: 'We are growing increasingly concerned for your welfare and I urge you to make contact either with police, your local hospital or GP surgery. It is really important that we know that you are safe.

'I would also urge anyone who has information that could help us to reunite this baby with her mother to come forward.'

OP posts:
AnotherPidgey · 01/02/2019 13:00

The mother would be at high risk of physical complications particularly if she has given birth on secret and not recieved medical care. She is mentally in a poor place to resort to abandoning a baby. She may be in fear from family/ partner and at high risk of abuse.

Lots of reasons for concern and compassion.

Presumably she hasn't been in a position to engage with social services for appropriate support and care. She hasn't been in a position to access an abortion for whatever reason (culture/ religion/ finding out late/ denial/ personal preference)

PineapplesAndTheGovernment · 01/02/2019 13:01

Always makes me think of that poor girl who died giving birth in the open in Ireland. Yesterday when this baby was found was the 25 year anniversary actually.
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ann_Lovett

PlainSpeakingStraightTalking · 01/02/2019 13:01

But then we'll probably charge you (but they don't mention that).

You think they'll charge

  • a rape victim
  • a victim of incest
  • a victim of abuse
  • a 13 year old child
  • some one at risk of honour based violence
  • someone with a histroy of depressive episodes

The mother is not going to me white, middle class, 34 year old Mrs Titterspon-Fotheringay-Stanley having a momentary aberration, is she?

Original poster
thebings · 01/02/2019 13:01

@dustyparadeground I thought so too, worst possible conditions, really must be a tragic story behind it.

OP posts:
Mossend · 01/02/2019 13:01

I really think it is a genuine concern.
Leaving a baby outside last night must have been the absolute last resort for the mother and is not the actions of an awful person, just a person who feels they have no other option.
They deal with truly awful people daily, I don't think anyone of them would be putting the mum in this category

Kikipost · 01/02/2019 13:01

Oh goodness! That is odd

Youshallnotpass · 01/02/2019 13:01

@thebings

I think it's probably fair to assume that charges may or may not be brought. It depends if it is in the public interest to prosecute. I would lean towards almost certainly not though. but from a purely logical point of view the actions this mother (or father, we don't really know) took could have led to the death of this poor infant. Thankfully this didn't happen.

I can't begin to imagine what is going on in this poor mothers life to cause her to leave a baby in a park. Hopefully she gets some help

Original poster
thebings · 01/02/2019 13:02

@PlainSpeakingStraightTalking I have no idea if they would charge them or not, that was part of my question. I am sure they would take extenuating circumstances into consideration.

OP posts:
Kikipost · 01/02/2019 13:02

I really think it is a genuine concern.
Leaving a baby outside last night must have been the absolute last resort for the mother and is not the actions of an awful person, just a person who feels they have no other option.

Possibly
Or possible a truly despicable person. They do exist.

greenelephantscarf · 01/02/2019 13:02

it might also be another person taking baby away and leaving it.