Woman ‘who snatched baby from hospital’ faces court

A WOMAN was chased and caught by members of the public after she is said to have snatched a stranger’s baby from a hospital foyer, a court heard.

Alicia Steward, 23, allegedly grabbed the baby carrier with the two-monthold boy inside and ran off.

A prison officer and other witnesses gave chase from the entrance of Hull Royal Infirmary and detained her in the hospital car park. The baby was reunited with his mother unharmed.

Hull Magistrates’ Court heard that Steward had earlier approached the baby’s mother and asked: ‘Is that my baby?’ She was told: ‘No, it’s mine.’

Steward repeated the question a short time later before allegedly grabbing the baby carrier despite efforts by the mother to stop her, the court heard.

Steward, who had been released from a nearby mental health unit less than five hours earlier, has been charged with child abduction.

Richard Fowler, defending, said the case had ‘extremely concerning’ aspects. He said Steward was released by the mental health team at noon last Wednesday and the abduction incident took place at 4.30pm. Mr Fowler said Steward was apparently homeless when discharged and the probation service was concerned for her safety and that of the public.

Steward, of no fixed abode, was remanded in custody by magistrates on Friday. She entered no plea and will appear at Hull Crown Court on January 26.