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

North Wales Police have issued a direct appeal to the mother of a baby girl whose body was discovered on a shoreline in Bangor, as investigators revealed the newborn may have been in the water for several weeks before being found.

A member of the public came across the body on the Menai Strait shoreline near Siliwen Road on Sunday shortly before 17:00 BST. The discovery prompted an immediate police response, with officers cordoning off the area and launching an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.

In an update released on Thursday, the force confirmed that a post-mortem examination had established the baby was a girl. Police said further scientific tests are being carried out to learn more about the infant, including how long she had been in the water and what may have led to her death.

Initial indications suggest the body may have been submerged for up to a few weeks, a timeframe that has heightened concerns among investigators and deepened the sense of urgency in their search for the child's mother.

Superintendent Llinos Davies, who is leading the appeal, acknowledged the sensitivity of the situation and the fear that may be preventing the mother from coming forward. "We understand that the mother may be fearful of coming forward but we urge her to make contact with us," she said, adding that she wanted to reassure the woman that her welfare and safety were the force's "utmost concern."

Davies also made a broader appeal to the public, asking anyone who may have noticed a girl or woman who appeared to have been pregnant, or whose behaviour had seemed unusual or out of character in recent months, to come forward. She noted that such signs could include withdrawing from friends, family or social ties — behavioural changes that might otherwise go unnoticed but could prove crucial to the investigation.

Seeking to encourage cooperation, Davies stressed that all names received by police would be treated with the utmost discretion and could be eliminated from the inquiry without delay if they proved unrelated. "I understand that this is a terribly sad incident for the community and I am grateful for the overwhelming support and assistance that we have received so far," she said.

The force has not released further details about the condition of the body or the specific results of the post-mortem examination, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation. Officers have also not confirmed whether they are treating the death as suspicious, leaving key questions unanswered as inquiries continue.

The case has resonated beyond policing circles, drawing a response from health officials in the region. Fiona Giraud, director of midwifery and women's services for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, issued her own appeal, saying her priority remained with the mother.

Addressing the woman directly, Giraud said: "Our immediate concern remains to be your 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."

She acknowledged that the full circumstances of the baby's death remain unknown but emphasised that the most pressing priority was locating the mother and ensuring she received any medical attention and support she might need. "I am asking you personally, please take the first step and contact us. There are people to help you," she said.

The involvement of health board officials underscores the multi-agency nature of the response, with police and NHS staff working in parallel to address both the investigative and welfare dimensions of the case. Midwifery teams are often called upon in such circumstances to provide specialist support to women who may be experiencing crisis during or after pregnancy.

The location of the discovery — the Menai Strait, a narrow stretch of water separating the island of Anglesey from mainland Wales — has also shaped the search operation. The shoreline near Siliwen Road is a coastal area that is accessible to the public, and police have not indicated whether the body may have travelled some distance before washing ashore.

Detectives have not disclosed whether they have identified any potential witnesses or whether they are reviewing CCTV footage from the surrounding area. They have, however, continued to urge anyone with information, no matter how small it may seem, to come forward.

The appeal highlights the delicate balance police must strike in such investigations, seeking public cooperation while attempting to protect the privacy of those involved and avoid deterring the mother from making contact.

Community reaction in Bangor has been one of shock and sadness, with local representatives expressing sympathy for all those affected. The incident has also renewed attention on the support services available to women facing unplanned or difficult pregnancies, and on the importance of confidential channels through which they can seek help.

North Wales Police have asked anyone with relevant information to contact the force, emphasising that all contacts will be handled sensitively. The investigation remains active, with further test results expected in the coming days as officers work to establish the full sequence of events that led to the baby girl's death.