A baby girl discovered abandoned in a plastic shopping bag during freezing weather is now set to be formally adopted by her foster family. The child, named Elsa by hospital staff, was found by a dog walker in the Newham area of London in January 2024.
The Discovery of a Sibling Group
Following Elsa's discovery, police investigations uncovered an extraordinary and tragic connection. Detectives established that Elsa has two older siblings who were also abandoned in the same locality. Her brother, Harry, now eight, was found in 2017, and another brother, Roman, now six, was discovered in 2019. Both boys have since been adopted into separate families.
Elsa has remained in the care of dedicated foster carers while authorities searched exhaustively for her biological parents. In a recent ruling, Judge Carol Atkinson decided the little girl's future lies permanently with her current carers, paving the way for them to adopt her.
A Judge's Heartfelt Ruling
Judge Atkinson, who has seen photographs of Elsa, described her as "a beautiful little girl, a raucous bundle of excitement and laughter." She added, "I know from reports that she lights up the space around her. She is happy and settled in her new family, as yet unaware of how she differs from other children."
The judge emphasised that Elsa's best chance for a fulfilling life is with a permanent family. She also noted the unique bond the three siblings share, stating, "These siblings share something quite extraordinary. No one that they will meet in life is likely to understand what it is like to be a foundling, but they each know and understand."
An Exhaustive Police Investigation
The Metropolitan Police carried out one of their most unique and extensive enquiries in an attempt to locate the children's parents. Officers went door-to-door at every nearby property, reviewed hours of CCTV footage, and narrowed the search to around 400 homes. A full DNA profile was established and complex familial DNA work was undertaken, with detectives travelling across the country to contact possible relatives.
Despite these efforts, the parents have never been found. Detective Superintendent Lewis Basford confirmed the investigation has now been scaled back, saying, "At this stage, this latest phase of enquiries has not resulted in us identifying the biological parents of the three children. While this has been disappointing, the lengths we have gone to have proven the team’s dedication to safeguarding children and ensuring the welfare of the mother."
He urged anyone with information to still come forward, noting that while active enquiries are exhausted, all new intelligence would be reviewed. The primary focus remains the welfare of the children, with Elsa now poised to begin her new life officially as part of her adoptive family.
