A man burst into the maternity ward at Son Llatzer hospital in Mallorca with a chilling claim. He shouted, I’m a police officer and that baby is mine, then demanded the infant be handed over. Security authorities acted quickly as the room filled with tension and fear. The incident unfolded in the early hours, when the hospital staff were least expecting a disturbance of this severity. Police promptly detained the man and arranged for him to be evaluated in the psychiatric ward to assess his mental state and the motivations behind his actions.
The events began around four in the morning on a Monday. A man approached the hospital’s waste and restroom areas, entered a corridor, and moved toward a delivery room where a mother and her mother were watching over a newborn girl. Without warning or courtesy, he pushed forward, cleared his path, and stated that the baby and the room belonged to him. He displayed his cell phone and claimed it functioned as a police badge, attempting to project authority in a moment dictated by fear and confusion.
From the outset, the two women realized something was seriously wrong. The intruder declared his identity and insisted the infant be handed over. His behavior indicated a possible break from reality. The grandmother attempted to mediate, trying to calm the newcomer and reason with him, while the mother and the newborn were kept safe inside a bathroom, their voices trembling with worry as the threat hovered nearby. The scene was chaotic, yet the fear for the child was palpable, urging rapid action from hospital staff.
“I just wanted to go get something”
The man exited toward the hospital restrooms, followed by the grandmother who sought to de-escalate the situation. The doctors immediately activated the panic button, a lifeline that alerted security personnel. Security guards moved with urgency to secure the area, while medical teams stabilized the surrounding area and protected the mother and child. At that moment, the man was restrained and kept from causing harm. He offered a brief explanation as he was being restrained, insisting that his motive was simply to retrieve something and leave. The noise of alarms and commands created a tense chorus as responders coordinated their actions.
Investigators from the National Police arrived to piece together the sequence of events and verify the facts on the ground. The man was subsequently arrested on suspicion of attempting to abduct a newborn at Son Llatzer hospital. Inquiries continued to determine whether any additional risks remained and to ensure the safety of all patients in the facility.
Authorities also confirmed that the individual, though not formally diagnosed as disabled, had parked in a space reserved for people with disabilities on the assumption that such placement would facilitate a quicker escape. The patient was taken to the psychiatric service for evaluation so that clinicians could assess his mental state, determine possible underlying conditions, and decide on an appropriate treatment pathway.
The incident underscores the complexities of safeguarding vulnerable patients in hospital environments. It prompted hospital officials to review access controls, staff training, and the effectiveness of emergency response procedures, ensuring a stronger, coordinated response to threats while preserving patient safety and dignity. The legal process will determine accountability, while the medical assessment will guide care and potential follow-up actions for the individual involved.