A newborn baby was rescued from bushes on Marshall Road and taken to hospital on Monday.

On Tuesday Officer In Charge of the Child Placement Unit, Ella Bain explained to ZNS News what may have prompted the mother to abandon her baby. She said, “maybe she felt inadequate, unable to prepare, not ready for this big step in life.”

The baby boy will remain in hospital for a few weeks to be assessed. Though abandonment is illegal Bain says the mother can still have a connection with her baby. “She can call our office if needs be and we can talk with her and we can guide her, and who knows, maybe reunite her with the child if she’s at that point now where she is reconsidering what she has done.”

If the child is not claimed by a family member he will be cared for by social services. Bain explained, “one of those units will refer that child to my unit, which is the Child Placement Unit. What we will then do is place that child up for adoption.”

Numerous persons have already inquired about adopting the baby boy. Bain said, “once we’ve done our due diligence, they go before our adoption foster care committee where they will be approved or not approved. Once they are approved there is a waiting list.”

There are twenty five persons on the current waiting list. Bain said, “the numbers of children available is not as much as persons believe. Most persons look at the children’s homes and say oh lots of children available but most of those children at the homes are not available. They are being managed by the Child Protection Unit.”