“The baby and her 17-year-old mother disappeared from hospital yesterday.”
A missing woman and her baby have presented themselves to the Northern Hospital in Melbourne after a woman was arrested and charged with child stealing.
Amanda Clay and her baby, one-day-old Phoebe Clay, arrived at the hospital late this afternoon after a 27-year-old Mill Park woman was charged in connection with the missing pair.
The baby and her 17-year-old mother disappeared from hospital yesterday.
The woman was charged with child stealing and reckless conduct and released on bail.
She will return to court at a later date.
Police earlier released CCTV vision showing a woman and a number of other people leaving the hospital with the child.
Officers were called to the hospital at 3:30pm on Thursday after Ms Clay’s infant daughter was taken just hours after she was born.
Victoria Police Inspector Darren Franks said he understood three females took the baby from the special care unit, and Ms Clay left the hospital shortly after of her own volition.
He said Ms Clay was not with Phoebe when she was taken.
Inspector Franks said the main concern was for the health of Ms Clay, who had just undergone a caesarean, and her child.
“What we’re most concerned about is the fact that Amanda has recently undergone a serious operation and that Phoebe was not feeding well,” he said.
“The hospital has informed us that both girls need to be back at hospital as a matter of urgency.”
This post originally appeared on ABC News.
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