POLICE are investigating after the body of a stillborn baby was reportedly discovered in the boot of a car parked in the grounds of Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry.
Police and health officials declined to provide a reason when asked by The Irish News last week why the car in the grounds of the hospital had been cordoned off.
However, it has now been reported that an investigation was launched after a young mother delivered a premature baby in the grounds of the hospital on Thursday of last week.
The young mother from Co Donegal – understood to be in her late teens - is said to have informed staff in Altnagelvin’s maternal and foetal assessment unit on Thursday afternoon. It is understood she left the hospital but was later found and is now being cared for.
The baby’s body was discovered in the car.
A police spokesman said only that officers responded to a “concern for safety” at the hospital.
“Inquiries are ongoing and it would be inappropriate to comment further," he said.
A spokeswoman for the Western Health Trust yesterday referred all queries to the police.
Following the discovery, forensic officers were seen examining the car. Officers also carried out an investigation in the maternal and foetal assessment unit close to where the car was parked.
