Concerns grow for mother of deceased baby girl in Taita, Lower Hutt

Hutt Valley Police are growing concerned for the welfare of a mother whose baby was found deceased at a Taita Drive property yesterday morning.

Hutt Valley Tactical Response Manager Inspector Shane Cotter says Police received a call around 10:30am yesterday morning from a female resident who discovered a deceased newborn baby girl wrapped in a towel at the back of her property, when she had gone outside to the washing line.

"The baby girl appears to be no older than 24 hours old. She still had part of her umbilical cord attached. We have not located the placenta, which makes us worried for the wellbeing of the mother, who may require urgent medical attention."

Inspector Cotter says Police are continuing an area canvas in Taita Drive today, in an area between Fraser Park and High Street.

"We encourage this mother to come forward and speak with us. We know she will be scared and potentially in a state of shock but our priority is to ensure she seeks the medical attention she requires."

Shane Cotter urges anyone with any information which will assist Police in identifying the mother of this wee girl to come forward and contact Hutt Valley Police on (04) 560 2600 or phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A post-mortem examination will be carried out tomorrow morning, which will help Police determine if the baby girl was alive at the time of her birth or not.