A baby girl abandoned in a shopping bag in freezing temperatures has taken her first steps, a family court has heard, as a police investigation into her parents’ identity continues.
The child, named Elsa by hospital staff after the Frozen character, was found wrapped in a towel inside a reusable shopping bag in East Ham, east London, in January last year. She was believed to be less than an hour old when a dog walker discovered her at the junction of Greenway and High Street South.
Elsa is the third child to have been abandoned in the same area over the past seven years, and investigators believe she is the sibling of two other babies, found in 2017 and 2019. Despite an extensive police effort, her parents remain unidentified, and a £20,000 reward has been offered for information leading to their discovery.
Astonishing progress despite uncertain beginnings
At a recent hearing at East London Family Court, it was revealed that Elsa is developing well, with Judge Carol Atkinson describing her progress as “astonishing”.
Steven Evans, representing Newham Council, said:
“The social work team reported to me that Elsa is developing well. She has taken her first steps. She is meeting all her developmental milestones.
“The social worker describes her visits as ‘the best visits ever’.”
Elsa is currently in foster care, and her future remains uncertain while authorities continue their efforts to locate her biological family.
The ongoing investigation
The Metropolitan Police have been working tirelessly on the case, reviewing over 450 hours of CCTV footage in an attempt to track down Elsa’s parents. A spokesperson for the force confirmed that the National Crime Agency is assisting with the investigation, but so far, no breakthroughs have been announced.
On the first anniversary of Elsa’s discovery, the independent charity Crimestoppers offered a £20,000 reward for information. The reward is available until April 18 for those who provide crucial leads via Crimestoppers—not the police directly.
Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously can do so by calling 0800 555 111 or visiting Crimestoppers-uk.org. Those opting to share information online must use the “keeping in contact” facility and request a reward code to claim any potential payout.
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A pattern of abandonments in east London
Elsa’s abandonment is the third known case involving siblings left in similar circumstances in the same London borough.
- In September 2017, a baby boy later named Harry was discovered wrapped in a white blanket in Balaam Street, Plaistow.
- In January 2019, another baby, Roman, was found in a play area off Roman Road, Newham, as snow and freezing temperatures gripped the capital.
Both Harry and Roman, whose real names have not been disclosed, have since been adopted.
Appeal for information
Authorities remain hopeful that someone may come forward with vital information that could help identify Elsa’s parents and uncover the full story behind these abandonments.
Detectives urge anyone with information to call 101 or contact @MetCC, referencing Operation Wolcott.
For those who wish to remain anonymous, Crimestoppers remains the safest option, but individuals must ensure they request a reward code for their information to be eligible for the £20,000 offer.
A future still unwritten
Despite her difficult start in life, Elsa appears to be thriving under care, taking her first steps and reaching her developmental milestones. However, her biological parents’ identities remain a mystery, and the search for answers continues.
As time passes, the urgency to uncover the truth behind these abandonments grows, with police and social workers determined to provide Elsa and her siblings with the clarity and justice they deserve.
