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Sports Direct baby: Police arrest woman on suspicion of wilful neglect

Staff reportedly called an ambulance after finding the baby in the ladies toilets of the retail warehouse

Sunday 05 January 2014 12:35 GMT
The baby was reportedly born in a Sports Direct warehouse in Shirebrook, Derbyshire on New Year's Day
The baby was reportedly born in a Sports Direct warehouse in Shirebrook, Derbyshire on New Year's Day (Google Maps)

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Police investigating the "unusual circumstances" in which a baby was found at a Sports Direct retail warehouse shortly after its birth have arrested a woman on suspicion of wilful neglect.

Ambulance services were called to the premises in Shirebrook, Derbyshire on the evening of Year's Day and alerted police after arriving on the scene.

Derbyshire Police said the 28-year-old was arrested yesterday.

The baby boy was taken to a neo-natal unit and it still being treated after being very ill when discovered. He is "making good progress but still under going tests," police said.

Derbyshire Police said the baby's mother, who is believed to be of eastern European origin, was also taken to hospital for treatment.

A spokesperson for Sports Direct declined to comment because of the police investigation and would not confirm if the mother was an employee, the BBC said.

Local media reports that the baby was found in the ladies toilets, but this has not been confirmed by police.

In a statement, Derbyshire Constabulary said: "Police arrest woman in connection with baby born at business premises in Shirebrook.

"On Saturday, January 4 a 28-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of wilful neglect after the police were called to the premises on New Years Day following the birth of a baby in unusual circumstances.

"A baby boy is being treated at a neo-natal unit and is making good progress but is still under going tests."

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