Mum found after stillborn baby discovered in pub toilet sparks massive search
A mother of a stillborn baby who was found in a pub toilet has been found following a major search, police confirmed.
The tiny body of the girl was discovered in a cubicle at the Three Horse Shoes, in Oulton, near Leeds, on Sunday afternoon. Detectives searching for the mother today confirmed they had identified the woman.
A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: "Police enquiries have identified a woman believed to be the mother of a newborn baby girl found deceased in a public house in Oulton.
"She has now received the appropriate medical care and is being given ongoing support. Thank you to everyone who supported us with our enquiries."
The pub was packed with customers for its carvery Sunday lunch when the grim discovery was made at around 4.45pm. The baby was confirmed as deceased by paramedics at the scene, prompting a police appeal to find the mother and ensure her welfare.
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Police were seen outside the pub on Monday (Samuel Port/LeedsLive)The force later said it believed the baby was stillborn, with the birth having taken place within a bathroom cubicle. At a press conference in Leeds city centre on Monday, DCI James Entwistle, from West Yorkshire Police’s homicide and major inquiry team, said the information he had pointed to the baby being stillborn and having been born in the toilet cubicle.
Addressing the mother directly, 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.”
The stillborn baby was found in a toilet cubicle (Leeds Live/MEN MEDIA)The pub remained closed today but is set to reopen tomorrow (Wednesday). It posted on Facebook: "Just wanted to inform everyone we will remain closed today (Tuesday 30th), we will be back open on Wednesday 31st January. Thank you for your patience and understanding & sorry for any inconvenience caused. Bookings will be contacted directly. "
Staff were said to be “visibly upset” by the discovery but continued to work in “clearly distressing circumstances”. Lee Connor told the pub’s staff on Facebook: “You were absolutely amazing and everyone understands that you will need time to process and be with your friends and family to offload what was a nightmare of a situation.
And Nicole Connor commented: “The staff all did amazing to somehow manage the toughest situation they could face without causing alarm and panic amongst the customers, which isn't an easy feat given the situation.” Flowers and candles have been left outside the pub in tribute to the baby.
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