Police are concerned for the welfare of the mother of a newborn baby boy found outside a fire station in Canberra’s south.
The baby is estimated to be less than 24 hours old and police assume the baby was not born in a medical facility.
The baby was found outside South Tuggeranong Fire and Rescue Station in Conder just after 7am and has since been taken to Canberra Hospital with no obvious injuries.
It is not known how long the baby had been outside the station before it was found.
The baby is now being cared for by hospital staff and is in “good health”, ACT Policing Detective Superintendent Alex Nicolson said.
ACT Policing Detective Superintendent Alex Nicolson is urging the baby’s mother to contact authorities. (ABC News: Toby Hunt)
“The baby was taken to hospital by ACT ambulance service paramedics and there were no visible injuries,” Detective Superintendent Nicolson said.
“Our sole concern is the health and wellbeing of the mother. I urge the mother to seek medical assistance.
“Please go to a hospital, call an ambulance or the police.
“If you are a family friend or a friend of this person who you think is the mother, please also urge them to seek medical assistance as soon as possible.”
Detective Superintendent Nicolson said they did not know how long the baby had been at the station before he was discovered.
“However, what I can say is that the baby was left in a location where it could be cared for quickly,” he said.
ACT Fire and Rescue Superintendent Chris White says staff knew what to do when the baby was found outside the station. (ABC News: Toby Hunt)
ACT Fire and Rescue Superintendent Chris White said the discovery of the baby came as a surprise to staff.
“I believe the crew became aware that there was a child outside when there was a contractor at the station who was undertaking some work on the station and they alerted the crew to the baby,” he said.
“So it was a bit of a surprise for our staff down here at South Tuggeranong Fire Station.Â
“It’s not a common occurrence, but they are trained in first aid, sought advice from the [ACT Ambulance Service] clinician and cared for the baby as best they could.”
Anyone who witnessed or has dash-cam footage of people or vehicles at or near the fire station overnight and early this morning is being asked to come forward.
Anyone with information about this matter should contact Crime Stoppers via the Crime Stoppers ACT website, quoting 8228819. Information can be provided anonymously.