A young woman was arrested last Thursday in Bilbao in connection with a baby kidnapping at a maternity ward. The Basque Security Department reported that the case has been referred to the courthouse today, marking a pivotal step in the legal process surrounding the incident at Basurto Hospital.
The baby involved in the alleged kidnapping remained at the Ertzaintza police station as officials continued the investigation. In the days following the event, authorities in Bilbao prepared to bring the case before the justice system and determine the next steps in this ongoing matter.
Around late morning, at roughly 11:30, the 24-year-old suspect was moved from the police station to appear before the presiding judge, signaling a transition from police custody to the judicial arena in the case.
The suspect is accused of entering the hospital at around 9:00 the previous Wednesday while disguising herself as medical staff. She is alleged to have taken the newborn and fled from the ward where the child was located, triggering a rapid search by law enforcement and medical teams.
At 8:15 a.m. on the following Thursday, after hours of nationwide effort to locate the infant, officers confirmed that the baby had been found abandoned on the doormat of a home in the Santutxu neighborhood. Medical personnel promptly checked the newborn, who was found to be in good health and received care at the initial point of contact.
Further investigations led to the identification of the suspect and her location. She was located at 10:45 a.m. and taken into custody after an intensive search around Azoka Square in the Zorrotza district of Bilbao, where authorities coordinated a rapid response to secure the baby’s safety and begin formal procedures against the individual in custody. The case remains under active investigation as officials gather evidence to understand the full sequence of events and determine the appropriate charges.
Sources familiar with the case indicate that police and hospital authorities coordinated closely to monitor the infant’s condition, ensure medical oversight, and establish a secure handover process for the child. The authorities continue to emphasize the importance of safeguarding mothers and newborns while pursuing accountability for anyone involved in such acts. [Attribution: Basque Security Department]