Police appeal to mother after newborn baby girl's body found on Anglesey shoreline

A newborn baby girl whose body was discovered on a shoreline in north Wales may have been in the water for a period of up to several weeks, according to initial indications from investigators. The grim find was made by a member of the public on the Menai Strait shoreline near Siliwen Road in Bangor, Gwynedd, on Sunday shortly before 17:00 BST.

North Wales Police confirmed on Thursday that a post-mortem examination had established the infant was a girl. The force is continuing its search for the child's mother and has issued a direct appeal for her to come forward, stressing that her welfare and safety remain the priority.

The discovery has prompted a widespread police investigation, with further scientific tests under way to learn more about the baby and the circumstances surrounding her death. Officers have not yet disclosed how long they believe the child had been in the water, beyond the initial estimate of up to a few weeks.

Detectives are also appealing to the wider public for help in identifying the mother. They have asked anyone who may have concerns about a girl or woman who they believe may have been pregnant, or whose behaviour has seemed unusual or out of character in recent months, to contact the force.

Superintendent Llinos Davies, who is leading the appeal, acknowledged that the mother may be frightened about coming forward but urged her to make contact. She said she wanted to reassure the woman that her welfare and safety were the force's utmost concern.

"We understand that the mother may be fearful of coming forward but we urge her to make contact with us," Supt Davies said. She added that anyone who has noticed a woman withdrawing from friends, family or social ties over the past few months should get in touch with police.

Supt Davies also sought to reassure potential informants that any names passed to officers would be handled with the utmost discretion. She explained that individuals can be eliminated from the inquiry quickly once their details are checked, meaning that innocent people need not fear being drawn into a lengthy investigation.

"I understand that this is a terribly sad incident for the community and I am grateful for the overwhelming support and assistance that we have received so far," she said. Her comments suggest that local residents have already been cooperating closely with officers as the investigation continues.

The case has also drawn a response from health services in the region. Fiona Giraud, director of midwifery and women's services for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, issued a personal appeal to the mother, saying her immediate concern remained the woman's health, safety and wellbeing.

Addressing the mother directly, Giraud said: "You may feel you have nowhere to turn, or that you cannot speak to anyone about what has happened. Please do not feel that you have to face this alone." She acknowledged that the full circumstances of the baby's death are not yet known, but stressed that finding the mother and ensuring she is safe and receives any medical attention she needs is what matters most at this stage.

Giraud urged the woman to take the first step and make contact, assuring her that there are people ready to help. Her intervention reflects the multi-agency approach being taken to the case, with police and health officials working alongside each other.

The location of the discovery, the Menai Strait, is a narrow stretch of water separating the island of Anglesey from mainland north Wales. The shoreline near Siliwen Road sits close to the city of Bangor and is a well-known local area, adding to the sense of shock that such a discovery has been made in a busy and familiar community.

Police have not released further details about the condition of the baby or the exact location where she was found, citing the ongoing investigation. Further tests are expected to provide more information in the coming days and weeks, and officers have said they will continue to keep the public updated as the inquiry progresses.

The case has echoes of other investigations in which police have appealed for mothers to come forward after the discovery of a newborn's body, prioritising the health of the mother alongside the need to establish what happened. In such cases, authorities typically emphasise that the mother may be in need of urgent medical and emotional support.

Officers have asked anyone with information to contact North Wales Police. They have stressed that even small pieces of information could prove significant in helping to identify the mother and piece together the events leading up to the baby's death.

The investigation remains active, with police continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the discovery and the results of the post-mortem examination forming a central part of their inquiries. A spokesperson said the force's focus was on finding the mother and ensuring she receives the support she may need.

As the community in and around Bangor comes to terms with the news, police have thanked local people for their assistance so far and encouraged anyone with concerns to come forward without delay. The force has made clear that its priority is to locate the mother and to understand the full circumstances of this deeply sad case.