The body of a baby girl — believed to be stillborn — was found in the toilet of an English pub over the weekend, as officials search for the baby’s mother, who they fear “urgently” needs medical attention.
Emergency crews were called to the Three Horse Shoes pub in Oulton, Leeds, just before 5 p.m. Sunday and discovered the dead baby.
Police called the discovery a “tragic incident” and that evidence suggested the baby’s death was “a stillbirth,” that may have occurred in the bathroom stall where she was found, the Guardian reported.
Detective James Entwistle with the West Yorkshire Police said they are “urgently appealing” for the baby’s mother to either contact them or seek medical attention.
“From a police perspective, I just want to be really clear. I’m not here to arrest you, I’m not here to arrest anyone else,” Entwistle said during a press conference.
A newborn baby girl was found inside a toilet at the Three Horse Shoes pub in Oulton, Leeds. PA Images via Getty Images“I’m here to make sure I understand what’s happened and make sure that you get the medical attention that you need.”
Karen Sykes, head of safeguarding at Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, urged the mother to come forward.
“We are really concerned about your medical, physical and emotional wellbeing at this point in time and urgently ask you to seek some medical help and advice,” Sykes said.
The pub’s owners addressed the tragic situation, writing on social media: “I’ve been writing post after post for the past hour but I don’t think right now is the best time given the circumstances…..We’re sure there’s speculation of something that happened at our establishment this evening.”
Officials are searching for the mother of the stillborn, who they fear needs medical attention. Richard Mccarthy / PA Wire via ZUMA Press“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,” they continued.
“A massive thank you to those that helped us while we were struggling as a team. It really doesn’t go unappreciated.”
West Yorkshire Police have launched a “full investigation” into the discovery, with assistance from the NHS, though their chief concern was the mother’s health.
“Our main priority remains the mother’s welfare and safety,” Entwistle added.
“We are urgently appealing for the mother of the baby girl to contact us or seek medical help as she has been through an extremely traumatic ordeal and could well need treatment herself,” he said.
The pub remained closed on Monday.
