Police continue search for baby Zack's mum

Sep 22 2007 By Mike Hornby

DOZENS of people have phoned hospital staff to enquire about the welfare of a new-born baby found abandoned in the garden of a Liverpool house.

The baby boy, weighing 8lb 10oz, was believed to be just hours old when he was found, and his umbilical cord was still attached.

He had been wrapped in towels and placed inside a bag.

Nurses at Liverpool Women’s Hospital named him Zack, after the Fazakerley district where he was found.

Merseyside Police are appealing for his mother to come forward and have promised her support and understanding.

Superintendent Colin Leeman said: “Zack is doing really well.

“He is a picture of health.

“Obviously we are also concerned for the well-being of his mother.

“Giving birth is never easy and she needs to be seen by a doctor. She may be bleeding or may have suffered an infection.

“If she comes forward she can expect support and understanding of what she has gone through.”

The little boy was found in the garden of a house in Delagoa Road by the residents at about 11pm on Thursday night.

The couple had heard noises which sounded like a cat in distress and when they went to investigate they found the baby wrapped in towels in a bag, Mr Leeman said.

He added: “They called 999 and the baby was taken to Fazakerley Hospital nearby and later to Liverpool Women’s Hospital.

“He was crying and he was just an hour or hours old.

“He is now in a healthy condition and getting the best care.

“Clearly, this little boy needs his mum.

“I would like to take this opportunity to appeal to anyone who was in the area last night who may have seen something which could help us to identify mum to come forward.”

Police are studying CCTV footage of the local area and carrying out house-to-house inquiries.

Staff at Liverpool Women’s hospital yesterday thanked dozens of people who phoned in asking about the baby’s welfare, and one couple who brought in a large bag of clothes for the baby.

Staff nurse Zishan Ahmet is one of the team looking after Zack at the hospital’s neonatal unit, where staff say he is receiving lots of cuddles and “TLC” from nursing staff.

He has had a bath, been dressed in a Babygro, is feeding regularly and sleeping soundly, unaware of his plight.

She said: “He is a lovely baby. He slept a lot and eats well. He had a bath this morning and he loved that.

“He is a good healthy weight and he loves cuddles. All the nurses are looking after him.

“Everyone keeps popping in and makes sure he gets lots of hugs. We have really been making a fuss.”

Lydia Moore, head of midwifery at the hospital, said: “Zack is doing very well.

“He is in good condition and is feeding well but we are concerned about Zack’s mum. She has given birth on her own with no medical assistance.

“She needs to get some attention from a doctor or a midwife. We have no idea what kind of delivery it was.

“We would love it if she came and saw us here at the Women’s.”

Mr Leeman said there was no connection between the baby and the house where he was discovered.

CCTV is being examined to see if the mother was caught on cameras in the area.

He described the little boy as being “a picture of health”.

Ms Moore added: “We expect Zack to go on making good progress and we would like to reassure his mother that he is getting the best possible care.

“The nurses feel really sad that mum and baby are separated like this and we believe the mother may well be traumatised after the birth.

“We feel very sympathetic toward her and hope she will come forward to receive help and support.

“We believe this baby was only hours old when he was found and we want to find mum so that we can check on her welfare.

“Clearly, this little boy needs his mum.”