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Newborn baby's body found on Menai Strait shoreline in Bangor; police seek mother

The body of a newborn baby was found on the Menai Strait shoreline near Siliwen Road, Bangor, on Sunday. North Wales Police and the health board are appealing for the mother, whom they fear may be vulnerable, to come forward.

2 outlets · 0L · 1C · 1R First reported Account updated

Updated (version 3). Rewritten with the latest reporting. Previously: “Newborn baby's body found on Menai Strait shoreline at Bangor; police appeal for mother”.

Image: Daily Express

The story, neutrally told

The body of a newborn baby was found on the Menai Strait shoreline near Siliwen Road in Bangor, north Wales, shortly before 5pm on Sunday 27 September. North Wales Police has launched an investigation and is appealing for the baby's mother to come forward. Fiona Giraud, of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, made a direct appeal, saying the immediate concern was the mother's health, safety and wellbeing.

Giraud said the circumstances of the baby's death are not yet known. Detective Sergeant Kelly Wynne appealed to the baby's father and to friends, family, neighbours or colleagues of the mother, asking about anyone who may have been pregnant or acted out of character. The Express reports that police are working with the Coastguard and the health board, with a cordon between Siliwen Road and the Strait, house-to-house enquiries and CCTV checks.

A post-mortem examination is due on Wednesday afternoon; the Express names the pathologist as Dr Brian Rodgers. Bangor residents may see more police in the coming days, and anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting Operation Melex. The BBC notes police have not revealed the baby's gender or age.

Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on.

Left0 outlets

No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.

Centre1 outlet

Framing
Sober, appeal-focused report leading with the discovery and the search for a possibly vulnerable mother, with extended quotes from the press conference.
Emphasis
Health board's direct appeal to the mother, her likely vulnerability, and how she can seek help.
Leaves out or plays down
Does not mention the cordon, Coastguard involvement, house-to-house enquiries, CCTV or the pathologist's name.
Charged language
“extremely vulnerable”
For example
“North Wales Police has appealed for the mother who may be "extremely vulnerable" to come forward.” — BBC News
“The force has not revealed any information about the baby's gender or age.” — BBC News

Right1 outlet

Framing
Emotive headline and lede stressing the tragedy and an 'urgent' search, with more detail on the police operation.
Emphasis
Scale of the police response: cordon, Coastguard, house-to-house enquiries, CCTV, named pathologist.
Leaves out or plays down
Does not note that police have withheld the baby's gender and age.
Charged language
“tragic discovery”“urgent search for mum”“urgent appeal”
For example
“The tragic discovery was made by a member of the public.” — Daily Express
“A large police cordon has been put in place between Siliwen Road and the Menai Strait” — Daily Express