Newborn baby's body found on Bangor shoreline; police search for mother
The body of a newborn baby was found on the Menai Strait shoreline in Bangor, north Wales, on Sunday. Police and health officials are appealing for the mother, who they fear may be vulnerable.
Updated (version 2). New coverage since the last version from BBC News.
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The story, neutrally told
Police are investigating after a newborn baby's body was found along a Welsh shoreline. Sky NewsN “Police are investigating after a newborn baby's body was found along a Welsh shoreline.” Read at Sky News ↗ A member of the public found the body near the Menai Strait in Bangor, north Wales, and North Wales Police were contacted shortly before 5pm on Sunday. GB NewsR “North Wales Police were contacted shortly before 5pm regarding the discovery near Siliwen Road in Bangor.” Read at GB News ↗ The GuardianLC “A member of the public found the body of the child, whose age and sex have not been disclosed, close to the Menai strait in north Wales.” Read at The Guardian ↗ Police are searching for the mother, whose identity is unknown, and fear she may be ill or vulnerable. The GuardianLC “Police are searching for the mother of a newborn baby whose body was found on a Welsh shoreline, fearing she may be ill or vulnerable.” Read at The Guardian ↗ GB NewsR “Extensive search efforts are underway to locate the mother, whose identity remains unknown.” Read at GB News ↗
Fiona Giraud, director of midwifery and women's services at Betsi Cadwaladr University health board, said there were "real concerns" for the mother's health and that she was likely to be extremely vulnerable. The GuardianLC “said there were “real concerns” for the mother’s health.” Read at The Guardian ↗ GB NewsR “We recognise that she is likely to be extremely vulnerable.” Read at GB News ↗ Giraud appealed directly to the mother, saying the priority was her health and safety and that she could speak to a healthcare professional, approach an officer or attend a police station. In a video appeal she said: "There are people to help you." The GuardianLC “You can speak to a healthcare professional, approach a police officer or attend a police station.” Read at The Guardian ↗ BBC NewsN “"There are people to help you," says Fiona Giraud, director of midwifery and women's services.” Read at BBC News ↗ DS Kelly Wynne appealed to the mother, the father and anyone who knew of a woman or girl who may have been pregnant or whose behaviour had changed, saying names would be treated with discretion. The GuardianLC “All names received will be treated with the utmost discretion and can be eliminated as the mother without delay.” Read at The Guardian ↗
The coroner has been notified, and a postmortem examination was due on Wednesday; the cause of death has not been given. GB NewsR “The coroner has been notified about the discovery.” Read at GB News ↗ The GuardianLC “The force said a postmortem examination was due to take place on Wednesday.” Read at The Guardian ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on.
Left1 outlet
- Framing
- Leads with concern for the mother's welfare, giving the most complete account of the police and health appeals.
- Emphasis
- Full quotes from Giraud and DS Wynne, the appeal to friends, family and neighbours, and assurances of discretion.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not mention Siliwen Road or that the coroner was notified.
- For example
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“The mother desperately needs help.” — The Guardian
Centre2 outlets
- Framing
- Brief, factual reports: Sky gives a one-line news report and the BBC a short video of the midwife's appeal.
- Emphasis
- The police investigation and the midwife's direct message to the mother.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Give little detail on the location, timing or the police appeal for information.
Right1 outlet
- Framing
- Procedural report framed around an investigation and search for the mother.
- Emphasis
- Location detail (Siliwen Road), joint work between police and health board, the coroner being notified, and "urgent public appeals".
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not include DS Wynne's appeal to the father, friends and family in the text available.
- Charged language
- “urgent public appeals”“Extensive search efforts”
- For example
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“Officials from both the police force and health service have issued urgent public appeals for the mother to come forward.” — GB News
What every side reports
- A newborn baby's body was found on a shoreline in Bangor, north Wales, on Sunday.
- Police are searching for the mother and fear she may be vulnerable.
- Fiona Giraud of Betsi Cadwaladr health board made a public appeal to the mother.
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Police are searching for the baby's mother and fear she may be ill or vulnerable.
Reported- Reports 3
- The Guardian, BBC News, GB News
North Wales Police organisation
Says it is worried the mother may not be able to seek help, and appeals to her, the father and others with knowledge to come forward, promising discretion.
“We are concerned the baby’s mother may not be in a position to reach out for support, so we are appealing directly to her, the father and those who may have knowledge” — The Guardian
Left1 article
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Body of newborn baby found on Welsh shoreline, prompting search for mother
Sympathetic Centres the mother's vulnerability and the officials' direct, compassionate appeals.
Centre2 articles
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Newborn baby's body found on shoreline
Neutral One-line report that police are investigating.
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Midwife's appeal to mum of baby found on shoreline
Sympathetic Video item on the midwife's reassurance to the mother.
Right1 article
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GB NewsR ·
Body of newborn baby found on Welsh shoreline as police launch search for mother
Neutral Procedural account of the discovery, the search for the mother and the joint police and health response.
- 29 Sep 13:21 First Sky NewsN Newborn baby's body found on shoreline
- 29 Sep 14:08 +48m GB NewsR Body of newborn baby found on Welsh shoreline as police launch search for mother
- 29 Sep 16:03 +2h 43m The GuardianLC Body of newborn baby found on Welsh shoreline, prompting search for mother
- 30 Sep 08:49 +19h 29m BBC NewsN Midwife's appeal to mum of baby found on shoreline
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.