Police appeal to mother after newborn's body discovered on Menai Strait shoreline

Police in north Wales have issued a direct appeal to the mother of a newborn baby whose body was discovered along the Menai Strait shoreline, saying they are concerned she may be "extremely vulnerable" and in urgent need of medical support.

The remains were found by a member of the public near Siliwen Road on Sunday shortly before 17:00 BST, according to North Wales Police. The location sits close to the water's edge in the Bangor area, where the strait separates the Welsh mainland from the island of Anglesey.

Officers have not yet released details about the age or condition of the baby, nor have they confirmed how long the remains may have been at the site. A police investigation is under way, and the force has made clear that locating the mother is its immediate priority.

At a press conference, Fiona Giraud, Director of Midwifery and Women's Services for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, spoke directly to the mother in an emotional appeal. She said the health board's first concern was for the woman's "health, safety and wellbeing," acknowledging that she may be feeling frightened, overwhelmed or unsure of what to do next.

Giraud said medical professionals "have real concerns for the health of the mother," noting that women who have recently given birth can face serious physical complications without proper care. She described the mother as "likely to be extremely vulnerable" and suggested that fear of being identified may be preventing her from seeking help.

Addressing the mother personally, Giraud said she may feel she has nowhere to turn or that she cannot speak to anyone about what has happened. "Please do not feel that you have to face this alone," she said, adding that the circumstances surrounding the baby's death are not yet fully known.

The midwifery chief stressed that what matters most at this stage is finding the mother, ensuring she is safe, and making certain she receives any medical attention and support she may require. She urged the woman to contact a healthcare professional, approach a police officer, or attend a police station.

"If you are watching or listening to this appeal, please know that we want to hear from you," Giraud said. "Please take the first step and contact us. There are people to help you."

The case has echoes of other incidents in which mothers who concealed pregnancies or gave birth in distressing circumstances have been urged to come forward rather than face the situation alone. Health officials in Wales have emphasised that support is available through maternity services, general practitioners and emergency departments, regardless of the circumstances.

North Wales Police have not indicated whether they are treating the discovery as a criminal investigation or whether they believe the baby died before or after birth. A post-mortem examination is expected to form part of the inquiry, though no timeline has been given.

The Menai Strait is a narrow stretch of tidal water separating Anglesey from the Welsh mainland, and the shoreline near Siliwen Road is a largely residential and coastal area. The discovery shortly before 5pm on a Sunday would have come as a shock to local residents, and police have asked anyone with information to come forward.

Detectives are likely to examine CCTV footage from the surrounding area, conduct house-to-house inquiries, and appeal to anyone who may have seen a woman in distress or behaving unusually in the days before the discovery. They may also seek to trace recent hospital or midwifery records.

The case also raises broader questions about the support available to women in crisis during pregnancy. Charities and health bodies have long argued that fear, stigma and mental health difficulties can lead some women to conceal a pregnancy, sometimes with devastating consequences. Midwives and doctors are trained to respond without judgment in such situations.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board covers a large part of north Wales, including Bangor, and provides maternity services across the region. Its decision to take part in the police appeal reflects a coordinated effort to reach the mother through multiple channels, including broadcast and social media.

Police have urged anyone with information about the discovery, or about a woman who may have recently given birth without support, to contact them. They have also reminded the public that the investigation is at an early stage and that further details will be released as they become available.

For now, the focus remains on finding the mother. Officials have stressed that their priority is her welfare, not punishment, and that any woman in a similar situation can seek confidential help from healthcare professionals or the police. The appeal is being treated as a matter of urgency.