Police Appeal to Mother After Newborn Girl's Body Found on Bangor Shoreline

Police in North Wales have renewed their appeal to the mother of a newborn baby girl whose body was discovered on a shoreline in Bangor, as investigators revealed initial findings suggesting the infant may have been in the water for up to several weeks.

The body was found by a member of the public on the Menai Strait shoreline near Siliwen Road on Sunday, shortly before 5pm BST. The discovery prompted an immediate response from North Wales Police, who have since been working to establish the circumstances surrounding the death while simultaneously searching for the child's mother.

In an update issued on Thursday, the force confirmed that a post-mortem examination had determined the newborn was a girl. Further scientific tests are continuing in an effort to learn more about the baby and the events leading up to her death.

Superintendent Llinos Davies, who is leading the investigation, acknowledged the sensitivity of the case and made a direct appeal to the mother to come forward. She said police understood the mother may be fearful of making contact, but sought to reassure her that her welfare and safety were the force's utmost concern.

"We understand that the mother may be fearful of coming forward but we urge her to make contact with us," Davies said. She added that anyone with concerns about a girl or woman who they believe may have been pregnant, or whose behaviour has seemed unusual or out of character in recent months, should get in touch with officers.

Davies noted that such warning signs could include withdrawing from friends, family or social ties. She stressed that all names received by police would be handled with the utmost discretion and could be eliminated from the inquiry without delay, meaning anyone who provides information need not fear causing trouble for an innocent person.

The superintendent also expressed gratitude for the support the investigation has received from the local community, describing the incident as "terribly sad" for those living in the area. Her comments reflect an awareness that the case has unsettled residents in and around Bangor, a city in Gwynedd on the north Wales coast.

The appeal was echoed by Fiona Giraud, director of midwifery and women's services for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, who said her priority remained with the mother. In a message addressed directly to her, Giraud said the immediate concern was the woman's health, safety and wellbeing.

"You may feel you have nowhere to turn, or that you cannot speak to anyone about what has happened. Please do not feel that you have to face this alone," Giraud said. She acknowledged that the full circumstances surrounding the baby's death are not yet known, but emphasised that what matters most at this stage is finding the mother and ensuring she receives any medical attention and support she may need.

Giraud urged the woman to take the first step and make contact, assuring her that there are people ready to help. Her intervention signals a coordinated approach between police and health services, with both emphasising compassion rather than blame as they seek to locate the mother.

The involvement of the health board is significant, as medical professionals are often best placed to address the physical and psychological needs of a woman who may have recently given birth under difficult or traumatic circumstances. The appeal from Giraud suggests authorities are mindful that the mother could be in urgent need of postnatal care, quite apart from any legal questions surrounding the case.

The location of the discovery, the Menai Strait shoreline near Siliwen Road, is a scenic coastal area separating the island of Anglesey from mainland Wales. The stretch of water is known for its strong currents and shifting tides, which may complicate efforts to determine how long the body had been in the water and where it may have entered.

Police have not released further details about the condition of the body or the stage of the investigation, citing the ongoing nature of the inquiry and the sensitivity of the case. The force has said only that further tests are under way to learn more about the baby.

The case has drawn attention to the broader issue of support available to women facing crisis pregnancies or the aftermath of concealed births. Health boards and charities in Wales offer confidential services for women who feel unable to speak to anyone about a pregnancy or a birth, and authorities have stressed that such support remains available regardless of the circumstances.

Detectives are continuing to pursue multiple lines of inquiry, including reviewing missing persons reports and speaking with local residents. They have asked anyone who may have information, however minor it might seem, to come forward, emphasising that even small details could prove crucial to establishing what happened.

The appeal to the public is twofold: police want to identify anyone who may have been pregnant in recent months and has since withdrawn from their usual contacts, and they want to hear from anyone who may have seen unusual activity near the shoreline before Sunday evening. Each piece of information, they say, will be treated confidentially and assessed carefully.

For now, the investigation remains in its early stages, with forensic work and post-mortem testing continuing. The priority, according to both North Wales Police and the health board, is locating the mother and ensuring she is safe, while also establishing the full facts of a case that has left a community mourning the loss of a newborn life.