Newborn baby girl found dead in Leeds pub toilets was stillborn, say police

The baby girl was found at the Three Horseshoes pub in Oulton at around 4.45pm on Sunday

A newborn baby that was found dead in a pub toilet in Leeds is thought to have been stillborn, police said on Monday.

The baby girl was found at the Three Horse Shoes pub in Oulton at around 4.45pm on Sunday. She was confirmed dead at the scene by paramedics.

Police have made a fresh appeal to find the mother after Detective Chief Inspector James Entwistle said the evidence so far suggested the baby’s death was “a stillbirth, and a stillbirth that may have taken place within that bathroom cubicle”.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday afternoon, he said: “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.

“I’m here to make sure I understand what’s happened and make sure that you get the medical attention that you need.”

The officer urged the mother of the newborn baby girl to get in touch with West Yorkshire Police or medical staff at the NHS.

Karen Sykes, head of safeguarding at Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, told the press conference: “To the mother of this baby girl - 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.

The baby girl was found at the Three Horse Shoes pub in Oulton (Google Maps)

“You can either go to your GP, but if you don’t feel comfortable going to your GP, come to one of our ED departments.”

Ms Sykes said the mother could also call 111 or go to one of the trust’s maternity assessment centres.

In a post on Facebook the owners of the pub made reference to the incident on Sunday afternoon.

The post said: “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.

“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.

“A massive thank you to those that helped us whilst we were struggling as a team it really doesn’t go unappreciated. Lots of love Team Three Horse Shoes.”

In a further message on Monday the pub said it will remain closed today.

It comes just days after a baby was found abandoned in a shopping bag in a park in east London.

Baby Elsa was found by a dog walker last Thursday at a park in East Ham and was rushed to hospital for medical attention.

She has since been discharged from hospital and is in the care of foster parents. Elsa’s parents have still not been identified.