A baby girl abandoned in the heavy snow has been named Roman – after the street she was found in.
The tiny newborn was discovered in a shopping bag next to a park bench in a deserted playground late last night (Thurs).
She was left in freezing temperatures wrapped in a towel in the bag.
According to police, a woman walking her dog past the play area in Newham, east London was alerted to the shivering baby when she heard her cries at 10.15pm.
A 42-year-old mother living opposite the empty playground said: “I saw the ambulance and police arrive and paramedics running and holding a baby wrapped in a towel.
“At first I thought it was a stabbing and I was terrified. I was the only one in the house with my baby.
“They blocked off the whole area.
“It was freezing. It was snowing really heavily.”
“It is really upsetting. She didn’t have to leave the baby in the snow and cold, she could have left her on my doorstep and rang the bell.”
A 72-year-old grandmother added: “My neighbour thinks the poor woman might have given birth there.
“I really feel for her. She must have been so distressed and she did the best she could.
“She will have known the playground gets busy and someone will have found her.”
Police confirmed that the baby girl is recovering in an east London hospital and her condition is now stable.
A police spokesman said “She has been unofficially referred to as ‘Roman’ after the road where she was found, a small children’ play area on Roman Road
“The child was discovered by a woman walking her dog with her children after she heard the child cry.
“When found they alerted the emergency services immediately. There were no other people present.
“She was found next to a park bench, not hidden. The child was discovered in a shopping bag in a white towel on the floor.”
Shane Clarke of the north east command unit said: “We are growing increasingly concerned for your welfare and I urge you to make contact either with police, your local hospital or GP surgery. It is really important that we know that you are safe.
“I would also urge anyone who has information that could help us to reunite this baby with her mother to come forward.”
By Isabel Dobinson