Baby Found in Shopping Bag Is Third Newborn Abandoned by Same Parents, Court Hears

A newborn baby found by a dog walker in subzero temperatures is the third child to be abandoned by the same parents, according to authorities in London.

On Tuesday, June 4, the Metropolitan Police confirmed to PEOPLE that the newborn' — called "Baby Elsa" by authorities — was discovered in a shopping bag by a member of the public in Newham, east London at 9:13 p.m. local time on Thursday, January 18, 2024.

They added that Elsa is "biologically related to two other babies found abandoned in the (same) local area."

In the statement also posted online, police revealed that her brother, named "Baby Harry," had been found abandoned in a park area in Newham on Sunday, September 17, 2017.

Another child called "Baby Roman" was then found abandoned by dog walkers in a children's play park on Thursday, January 31, 2019.

Police confirmed Tuesday that DNA tests had established the three babies were siblings in April.

Officers carried out "extensive" inquiries after both children were found, the release read of the older children. "Despite their efforts their mother, or parents, were never identified," it added.

Police confirmed they'd "issued a timely media appeal and conducted a wealth of checks, reviewing many hours of CCTV and speaking to media from the scene where Elsa was found to raise awareness."

Officers are also looking to identify a woman wearing a large dark coat who was seen carrying a rucksack on her back shortly before Elsa was found. Temperatures were around 26.6 degrees Fahrenheit in London on the night she was discovered, Reuters and Sky News previously reported.

Detective Inspector Jamie Humm from the North East Command Unit, which covers Newham, said, "We understand the significant public interest that will come following the lifting of restrictions that allow this information to be reported. It is significant news and our work has focused on trying to locate the mother and provide support to her."

"We have worked 24/7 in each of these three cases to identify the parents, so far without success," Humm added, per the news release.

"We have also had to be mindful of the sensitivities that exist now all of the children are being cared for. Their welfare, including their privacy, is paramount," the inspector added.

"We continue to investigate, and will consider the next steps in our investigation," Humm concluded.

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Per the BBC, Carol Atkinson — the most senior judge at the East London Family Court — said, “Abandonment of a baby in this country is a very, very unusual event,” while speaking about it being in the public's interest to report on the case.

The outlet reported the older children had been adopted, while Elsa remained in foster care.

The East London Family Court had nothing further to share when contacted by PEOPLE.