£20,000 reward offered to find parents of three abandoned babies

One year from the discovery of a new-born baby in East London, our charity is supporting an investigation by offering a reward to locate the parents, for whom there are on-going welfare concerns. 

On Thursday, 18 January 2024, a member of the public just after 9pm reported that they had found a new-born baby wrapped in a towel in a shopping bag, close to the junction of Greenway and High Street South, E6. 

Give information 100% anonymously
 

***Crimestoppers, which is independent of the police, is supporting this investigation by offering a reward of up to £20,000 for information we exclusively receive, that leads to the successful identification of any person or persons linked to a series of baby abandonments in East London.***
 
 ***The reward is available for three months and is due to expire on 18 April 2025.***

Enquiries revealed that the baby named “Elsa” was biologically related to two other babies, who had also been located in similar circumstances nearby in 2017 and 2019.

Baby Elsa was thankfully uninjured and was taken to hospital as a precaution. She has since been discharged and placed into the appropriate care.  

The two other abandoned babies who are full siblings to Elsa, are also thankfully healthy and well.

“We are deeply committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our communities. We are supporting this investigation by offering a reward appeal for up to £20,000. 

“The discovery of baby Elsa and the revelation that Elsa was biologically related to two other babies found nearby in similar circumstances has shocked and saddened people in the community. We’re sure that someone has information, or suspicions about the circumstances and may not know who to turn to.

“Our charity is here to help by offering a safe and secure way for anyone who has information to speak up and remain completely anonymous. You won’t ever have to speak to the police, provide a statement or have any further involvement after you initially contact us.

“Please, if you have any information, come forward. Your anonymity is guaranteed, and your courage in speaking up could be crucial in ensuring the safety and well-being of those involved. Every piece of information, no matter how small, is invaluable.”
 
Alexa Loukas, Crimestoppers London Regional Manager

“We have carried out extensive enquiries over the past year to try to locate the parents. 

“This has involved reviewing over 450 hours of CCTV and carrying out work to complete a full DNA structure of the mother. We have also worked with wider specialists who are of the view that the mum and possibly also the father have been residing in the Plaistow or East Ham area over the past six years. 

“We have serious concerns for the well-being of the parents, especially the mother and are continuing to work closely with Newham Local Authority to appeal for the public’s help for information. 

“I believe that someone in the area will have been aware of the mother’s pregnancies and that within the community there may have been concerns for this mother’s welfare.

“Thanks to the DNA work of forensic colleagues, police will be able to eliminate any unconnected person quickly and easily, as such I would request the community to contact police with confidence.

“I would also appeal to professionals in the community, such as those in health, care, education or the charitable sector to consider whether they have encountered the mother without realising it at the time.

“The three babies in this investigation are thankfully healthy and well, and we are continuing momentum behind this investigation to identify the parents.”
 
Detective Inspector Jamie Humm of the Child Abuse Investigation Team 

  ***Note: Information passed directly to the police will not qualify for a reward***
 
Anonymity: We guarantee complete anonymity, meaning that people who call or contact us online can pass on what they know without ever giving any personal details. Computer IP addresses are never traced. Telephone calls are never recorded, there is no caller line display and no 1471 facility. 

Claiming a reward: The reward will only be payable for information passed directly to Crimestoppers and not to the police. A reward code must be asked for when calling us on 0800 555 111. If you contact our charity via our online form anonymously, the 'keeping in contact’ facility must be used, and a reward code must be requested on your initial contact with us. 

Read more about our rewards process – at the heart of which is ensuring you stay 100% anonymous. 

20 January 2025