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Family's makeshift act to save newborn baby abandoned in backyard

A stunned Sydney woman has described the distressing moment she searched for something to clamp the baby's umbilical cord.

A Sydney family has recounted the shocking moment they discovered a crying newborn abandoned in the backyard of their new home.

Anne Carlos revealed to The Daily Telegraph her sister Lara was hanging washing on the line on Friday afternoon when she heard a noise and soon stumbled upon a naked baby girl on their back patio in Blacktown.

“We knew she had been born very recently, like only hours earlier, because she still had the white stuff [vernix] on her head,” she said, detailing the frantic moment she called emergency services for help and searched for an item to clamp the newborn’s umbilical cord.

The Sydney backyard where the baby was found.
The newborn baby girl was found in the backyard of a Girra Road home. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Jeremy Piper

“I couldn’t find anything in the kitchen, so I grabbed a shoelace and used that…then they [paramedics] talked me through how to do it.”

Child's play equipment may have lured baby's mum to yard

Ms Carlos, her mum and sister then covered the child and cuddled her until police and an ambulance arrived. While the family is still baffled as to how or why the newborn was at their home, which they moved into just a week prior, they did recall seeing a white 4WD drive past around the same time and the “side gate close really loudly”.

She said they initially assumed it was her brother-in-law, but now realise “that must have been the mum or whoever left the baby there” trying to get their attention, the publication reports.

Police talk to neighbours after the baby was found.
Police talk to neighbours in the hopes they may have more information. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Jeremy Piper

Ms Carlos said they have three young girls living at the home and believes the child’s mum may have chosen their yard after spotting a swing set and bicycles.

No leads over abandoned newborn

Despite pleas from police for the woman who gave birth to the newborn to come forward, investigators are no closer to discovering her identity.

Officers on Monday reiterated concerns for her welfare and urged the woman to attend a hospital, call an ambulance or attend a police station as soon as possible. “We are concerned for her, both mentally and physically. We just want to make sure she’s okay,” Detective Chief Inspector Jason Pietruszka told Sydney radio station 2GB.

Investigators walking in the neighbourhood where the baby was found.
Investigators are hoping the mother will contact police to confirm she is safe. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Jeremy Piper

He hoped forensic material and CCTV would provide some leads but told anyone with information to come forward. The baby is believed to have been left at the home between 12.30pm and 2.40pm on Friday.

“This person has obviously gone through something quite traumatic and to put your own child in this situation, obviously you do need some help,” Det Insp Pietruszka said.

The baby will enter state care upon discharge from hospital. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

With AAP

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