Last call for Baby Sophia’s mother

November 15, 2009 by Shawn Douglas
Filed under: News

Authorities are making one final attempt to reach out to Baby Sophia’s mother after being abandoned in a Sydney hospital.

Six months ago, a woman going into labor checked into the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney, Australia. What hospital officials didn’t realize was that the woman gave false information about herself, and after birthing Baby Sophia, the mother told staff she was coping with ”difficult personal issues” and soon disappeared.

Now NSW Community Services is sending out a plea to the mother of abandoned Baby Sophia, asking her to come forward for the sake of the child. Community Services Minister Linda Burney said that the mother wouldn’t receive any discipline for the action.

Burney said: ”Community Services staff understand that Sophia’s parents may be worried about coming forward. I want to reassure them that they will have the opportunity to speak with caseworkers who will be respectful and sensitive of their situation.”

”On the day Sophia was born, her mother told hospital staff she was going through difficult personal issues and was not in a position to care for her newborn daughter. But she left before formal discussions could take place.”

”We want to make sure Sophia’s mum has the opportunity to be involved in planning for her daughter’s future and to know her baby is doing well in foster care.”

Burney spoke well of Baby Sophia, saying that she was “meeting all of her developmental milestones” and was “a very happy and settled baby”.

”Sophia rarely cries and is a very good sleeper,” said Burney. ”She is very social and loves the company of other children. She enjoys going for walks.”

After repeated failed attempts to locate the mother, Burney has urged her to call staff at Community Service’s adoption program.

“Community Services has many families who are ready to adopt,” she said. ”If Sophia’s mum wants her daughter to be adopted or feels unable to come forward, Sophia will be placed with one of these families.”