Man arrested after baby found abandoned in Wigan hospital toilet
The new born baby boy had to be resuscitated after being found by security staff at the Royal Albert Infirmary in Wigan
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails
Sign up to our free breaking news emails
Sign up to our free breaking news emails
A 31-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a new born baby was found abandoned in a hospital toilet.
The baby boy had to be resuscitated after being found by security staff at the Royal Albert Infirmary in Wigan. He is now understood to be doing well.
Greater Manchester Police said they were called to the hospital shortly after 12am on Wednesday to reports a baby had been found in the hospital's A&E toilets.
Police said they will be “thoroughly investigating” the incident and have praised the response of the staff at the Royal Albert Infirmary.
The force are appealing for anyone who may have been present in the A&E department between 7pm and midnight on Tuesday and may have seen anything unusual around the toilets to come forward.
The hospital’s A&E department was closed overnight but has since been re-opened and is operating as usual.
Detective Inspector Martin Reddington, from GMP’s Wigan borough, said: “This is an awful situation, I am just so happy I am able to say that the baby boy is doing well.
“We have made an arrest and we will be thoroughly investigating how this happened.
“We are appealing for anyone who may have been in the A&E department between 7pm and midnight and perhaps saw a man and a woman in and around the toilets or saw anything unusual to get in touch with police as soon as possible.
“I would like to take this opportunity to praise the staff at the Royal Albert Infirmary, without doubt their heroic actions saved the life of this new born baby.”
Andrew Foster, Chief Executive of Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust said: "I would like to thank all staff who were involved for their professionalism and calmness during the incident, particularly the diligent member of staff who discovered the baby and raised the alarm.
"I'm very proud of the way our staff worked, their quick response without doubt saved the baby’s life.”