Woman arrested after baby found 'abandoned' outside Whitstable Co-op supermarket

A mother has been arrested after her baby was found abandoned in a pram outside a Co-op in Whitstable.
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Pascale Hughes4 January 2017
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An 18-year-old woman has been arrested after a baby was found abandoned in a pram outside a Co-op in Kent, police say.

Officers were called to the supermarket in Whitstable on Tuesday evening after receiving a call about an abandoned child.

The caller said they were concerned about the baby and its mother.

Alison Barrett, a bystander, said the officers had to change the child's nappy.

On Facebook, she wrote the child was "playing and laughing with the police officer" and did not appear upset or distressed.

A police spokesman said: "Kent Police received a report of concern for the welfare of a woman who was last seen outside a supermarket in Canterbury Road, Whitstable, on January 3 at around 6.20pm.

"The caller also told police there was an unaccompanied child at the location.

"Officers carried out a search of the area and located the woman shortly afterwards.

"She has been arrested in connection with the incident and remains in custody."

Police say the baby is well and being looked after.

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