Discovery of Stillborn Baby in Leeds Pub Prompts Police Safeguarding Inquiry
In a heartbreaking incident at the Three Horse Shoes pub in Oulton, Leeds, a newborn baby girl was discovered dead in a pub toilet at approximately 4.45 pm on Sunday.
Police have launched a safeguarding inquiry, urging the mother to come forward. Detective Chief Inspector James Entwistle emphasised, "I'm not here to arrest you. I'm not here to arrest anyone else. This is a safeguarding inquiry, this is not a criminal inquiry. This is a safeguarding inquiry to make sure she (the mother) is okay and to make sure we do everything to stop it happening to anyone else."
DCI Entwistle explained that, based on available information, it appears the baby was stillborn, with the birth occurring within a bathroom cubicle. Addressing the mother, Karen Sykes, head of safeguarding at Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, expressed concern for her well-being, stating, "We are really concerned about your medical, physical and emotional wellbeing at this point in time." She urged the mother to seek immediate medical assistance, either at a GP or the emergency departments of their hospitals.
The Three Horse Shoes pub issued an apology to those present during the incident and those with cancelled bookings. The pub acknowledged the challenging situation, stating on Facebook, "All I can say at the minute is I'm sorry to everyone that was in with us during the time this happened and to all that was due to come in and couldn't. A massive thank you to those that helped us." The establishment announced it would remain closed on Monday.
This tragic incident follows a recent case of a baby found abandoned in a shopping bag in a park in east London, highlighting the importance of addressing such distressing occurrences to ensure the safety and well-being of mothers and newborns.
