Parenting

Case of Abandoned Toddler Baffles Australian Police

In between tears, she tries to speak a few words but the police still can’t figure out what she is trying to say. The 18-month-old was abandoned in western Sydney on the doorstep of a house on Monday and now the officials are desperately trying to locate her parents.

baby Mai abandoned at a home in Australia

On Monday at about 9:50 pm someone driving a late model white sedan rang the doorbell of a house in Auburn and left an 18 month old girl there. The toddler was wrapped in a green blanket and the person who dumped her on the doorsteps sped off before anyone could see him or her.

The Family and Community Services Minister, Pru Goward has since then been repeatedly asking the parents to come and collect their child who is very ‘distressed’. Not knowing what her name is, the carers have dubbed her ‘Mai’.

“Mum and dad, this little girl needs you, she is very upset she is very well cared for as you will see from the photographs,” Ms Goward said at a press conference outside Auburn police station on Tuesday.

She added that children at 18 months recognize who their caregivers are and this child, therefore, is very tensed among strangers and distressed.

“At 18 months a child knows who they are with, who they belong to and when things are wrong or they have changed. It must be very frightening to be wrapped in a blanket and left on someone’s doorstep in the dark,” she said. She is very distressed.”

For the man who found the baby girl on the doorstep of his house, it has been equally puzzling.

On the request not being named, he told the police,

“I couldn’t imagine that someone would do something like this to a child. If you have a problem, there are places you can call and they can help you, rather than just abandoning a child,” he said.

“It was random and out of the blue, and I didn’t think this could happen in Australia.”

There was a bag, a bottle and baby formula found with the toddler. The police say that these have been sent to the forensics for testing.

“We have no idea who took the baby to the front door,” Superintendent Rogerson said. “We don’t know the intention or why whoever took the baby selected that house.”

What is unusual, say the officials is the age of the girl. Babies are usually abandoned at a much younger age.

“It is more unusual for children to be abandoned at this age but a child aged three was found a couple of years ago,” she said.

The police superintendent also adds that the girl looks well cared for. She was dressed in a black-and-white long-sleeved top and a white sleeveless jumper. She was also wearing a pair of grey shorts with grey and black striped socks.

“The clothing is very neat and clean,” says Superintendent Rogerson.

Mai is currently staying with experienced foster caregivers. Anyone with information was urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800333000.

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About the author

Atula

Atula is a writer, traveler, and a nature-lover. She is also mom to a boy who seems to have inherited all her creative genes. When Atula is not busy making up stories with her son, she writes for numerous magazines, websites, and blogs. She is also working on her site on endangered species called indiasendangered.com.

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