Ad seeks parents of abandoned B.C. newborn
CBC TV, December 19, 2004, Written by CBC News Online staff
VANCOUVER - The B.C. government placed a newspaper ad Sunday requesting the parents of an abandoned newborn baby girl come forward and claim her.
If they fail to do so, Baby Jane Doe who was found abandoned at a city bus stop three weeks ago, can be put up for adoption.
"We give them [the parents] notice and that way they can come to court and argue, or tell the court why we shouldn't have custody of the child," said Deputy Minister Alison MacPhail.
The ministry will be making an application for a continuing custody order on Jan. 13.
A woman waiting at a bus stop found the days-old baby girl inside a plastic bag on Nov. 27.
Police say a white woman, between the ages of 30-35, wearing a black jacket with hood was seen driving away from the bus stop in a light, four-door car.
There's no guarantee that the mother won't be charged say police, but the immediate concern is to gain insight into the baby's medical history.
It would also be beneficial to know the baby's cultural background, said MacPhail.
Police have received dozens of tips from the public, but none has panned out. They've also received numerous requests for adoption.
The baby is currently in the custody of the Ministry of Children and Families.