Mother abandons baby in hospital

CCTV image of Lan Lee leaving the hospital

A new mother has disappeared from a Bedfordshire hospital leaving her baby boy behind.

The 22-year-old woman, who told staff her name was Lan Lee, left the Luton and Dunstable Hospital on Saturday.

She arrived at the hospital in labour on Thursday without any medical records claiming she lived in Luton, but had also lived in Manchester and London.

The baby, who has been named Bee Lee, is being cared for by hospital staff while police search for his mother.

Lan Lee is Vietnamese and is thought to have arrived in the UK a year ago, Bedfordshire Police said.

She is also believed to have connections with Essex.

Foster family

She left the hospital claiming she was going to buy some provisions, but she failed to return.

Police have released a picture of Lan Lee, caught on CCTV leaving the hospital on Saturday.

Pc Mick Collard said: "Whatever the reason for this woman leaving behind her new born baby, our immediate concern is for her physical and mental welfare.

"While the birth was straight forward and the baby very healthy, she clearly should still be receiving continued medical care."

"If anyone knows where Lan Lee is now, or knows her by another name, then please contact the police so that we can help her."

Officers from the Bedfordshire Police Child Protection Team and Luton Borough Council Social Services met to discuss the child's future which is likely to be with a foster family unless his mother is found.