Search: Gwent Police
The mother of a new born baby boy discovered dead behind a convenience store has been located, police said.
A woman in her 20s from the Risca area, near Newport, south Wales, was arrested on suspicion of concealment of a birth.
The arrest came nine days after the baby was discovered abandoned behind a Spar shop on Newport Road, Cwmcarn.
The baby, who was no more than 24 hours old, was pronounced dead after being taken to hospital. A post mortem into the cause of death later proved inconclusive. Police, who named the baby Patrick, launched a major search for his mother in the wake of the tragic find on March 18.
Public appeals were backed up by release of photographs of the clothes the baby was wearing and the towels he was wrapped in. Earlier this week officers released new photographs of the blanket found with the body in an effort to encourage the public to keep coming forward.
Inquiries continued as Gwent police spoke of their concerns for the mother's mental state in the wake of the incident. Medical professionals and specially trained support staff saw the woman, who was released on police bail. "Following the discovery of a newborn baby boy in Cwmcarn on Thursday 18th March officers have now located the baby's mother," a police spokesman said.
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"The female, in her 20s from the Risca area, was seen by medical professionals and spoken to by officers.
"She and her family are being supported by specially trained officers."
He added: "The female has been arrested on suspicion of concealment of a birth and has been released on police bail pending further inquiries.
"Police would like to thank the community and the media for their support and assistance throughout the investigation."
