Longueuil authorities have shared surveillance video footage in a bid to identify a person linked to the case of a newborn infant abandoned on a doorstep over the weekend. The Service de police de l’agglomération de Longueuil (SPAL) unveiled the footage on Tuesday, showing an individual carrying something while walking along a sidewalk.
“The individual seems to be holding the infant in their arms during the recording,” stated Jacqueline Pierre, the SPAL spokesperson, during a press briefing. Pierre emphasized that this individual could possess crucial information to aid in locating the baby’s mother and/or father.
The incident occurred on Sunday around 11 p.m. ET when someone rang the doorbell of a residence on Bourgeoys Street and promptly departed. Inside the home, occupants discovered a newborn wrapped in a blanket with the umbilical cord still attached and promptly alerted emergency services.
Medical assistance was swiftly provided to the child, who was subsequently transported to a hospital and reported to be in good health. Longueuil police announced on Monday their search for the individual responsible for leaving the infant.
Authorities expressed intentions to canvass the area, seeking potential surveillance footage from residents that could assist in identifying the baby’s parents. Pierre urged anyone recognizing the person depicted in the video to contact the police immediately.
During the news conference, Pierre directed a message to the parents, acknowledging the challenges they are likely facing and emphasizing the police’s focus on their well-being. Mélanie Mercille, another SPAL spokesperson, disclosed that the newborn was delivered prematurely at 34 weeks.
Public tips led investigators to conduct searches in Marguerite Bourgeoys Park, situated close to the site where the infant was discovered, resulting in the closure of the park to the public on Monday.