> At a Glance
> – Baby “Elsa,” abandoned in a London shopping bag in January 2024, wins court approval for adoption
> – She will keep regular contact with two biological brothers also abandoned as newborns
> – East London Family Court praised her joy and stability with prospective parents
> – Why it matters: The three siblings share the rare experience of being foundlings, giving them a unique lifelong bond
A tiny newborn left in a 3 °C London alley inside a shopping bag has blossomed into a “raucous bundle of excitement” now cleared for adoption, a judge revealed.
The Discovery
On 18 January 2024, a dog-walker spotted movement in a discarded shopping bag and discovered a less-than-an-hour-old infant wrapped only in a towel. Police launched an urgent appeal while hospital staff warmed the baby, later nicknamed Elsa by carers.
Fast-forward two years and Judge Carol Atkinson has formally ruled that Elsa can stay with the family who has fostered her since hospital discharge, setting the stage for a full adoption.
A Family Reunion Years in the Making
DNA tests revealed an extraordinary twist: Elsa’s biological brothers, Henry (8) and Roman (6), had been found under eerily similar circumstances in 2017 and 2019. All three children now live with separate adoptive families who have pledged to keep them connected.
- Monthly playdates and shared outings
- Growing-up photo swaps between households
- Annual get-togethers to celebrate their shared history
Judge Atkinson emphasised the importance of these meetings:
> “No one they will meet in life is likely to understand what it is like to be a foundling, but they each know and understand.”
Police Appeal Continues
Despite exhaustive enquiries, officers have been unable to trace the children’s birth parents. Detective Superintendent Lewis Basford said the force remains concerned for the biological mother’s wellbeing and urged anyone with information to come forward.
| Sibling | Year Found | Age Now | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Henry | 2017 | 8 | Adopted |
| Roman | 2019 | 6 | Adopted |
| Elsa | 2024 | 2 | Adoption due |
Key Takeaways
- Baby Elsa will be formally adopted after thriving with her current carers
- She will grow up knowing Henry and Roman, her brothers found in near-identical abandonments
- A judge praised the adoptive families for nurturing the siblings’ relationship
- Police continue to seek information about their birth parents, particularly their mother
The court’s decision secures Elsa’s future while preserving the rare sibling bond all three children share as foundlings.
