Abducted Newborn Found Safe in Northern Ont., Woman Arrested, Police Say

By THE CANADIAN PRESS

SUDBURY, Ont. – A newborn snatched from a Sudbury hospital was back where she belonged late Thursday, ending a day-long Amber Alert that had authorities across the province looking for the child.

The baby girl appeared healthy but was examined by doctors as a precaution before being reunited with her parents, police said.

A 19-year-old woman accused of taking the day-old child was arrested in the home where the baby was recovered in Kirkland Lake, a five-hour drive from Sudbury.

Police said late Thursday they expected to charge the woman with abduction.

Police issued an Amber Alert for the newborn shortly after she was reported missing from the St. Joseph’s Health Centre site of Sudbury Regional Hospital at about 1 p.m.

An Amber Alert is issued when police believe a child has been abducted and may be in danger.

Sudbury police held a news conference Thursday afternoon and expressed concern about the woman’s psychological state.

Police also released an image from a hospital surveillance camera showing the unidentified woman carrying what appeared to be a swaddled infant.

The suspect was apparently wearing white hospital scrubs, and police said that pointed to a premeditated decision.

About 100 police officers were posted along highways leading out of Sudbury, and they were searching all vehicles for the suspect and infant.

Local transit services were delayed as police searched across the city for the suspect.

The hospital called police and stepped up security after the baby was reported missing.