Baby abandoned at hospital

Hospital staff are calling the baby Joe

A baby has been abandoned at a West Bromwich hospital.

The child, described as being of oriental origin and aged about 18 months, was left in the maternity department of Sandwell District General Hospital at 1540 BST on Tuesday.

The baby boy, who hospital staff are calling Joe, was left behind by a man and a woman, who are also described as being of oriental origin.

Police are checking seven hours of CCTV footage of the hospital in the hope of identifying his parents.

It sounds as if a lot of thought went into this to make sure he's well cared for Pauline Werhun Nursing director

Joe, who was left in his pushchair with spare clothes and food, has been checked over by medical staff and is in very good health.

Pauline Werhun, the director of nursing at Sandwell District General Hospital, said: "One of our midwives found him at about quarter-to-four this afternoon near to the lifts at the maternity department at Sandwell Hospital.

"He was in a pushchair and couldn't find his parents.

"We don't know how old he is. He looks around 18 months, but some people think he looks more like two-years-old.

Come forward

"But it sounds as if a lot of thought went into this to make sure he's well cared for," she added.

"His parents left food and nappies for him and his little blanket."

The couple who left the child are being urged to come forward.

A West Midlands Police statement said they were anxious to reunite the boy with his parents, who would be given "help and advice".