East London Baby Elsa Adopted, Siblings Stay Connected

Key Points

• A girl named “Elsa,” found abandoned as a newborn in a carrier bag near a footpath in Newham, east London, on 18 January 2024, is to be adopted by a new family.
• DNA tests confirmed Elsa is the sibling of two other babies—a boy named Harry, now aged 8, found in 2017, and a girl named Roman, now aged 6, found in 2019—each abandoned nearby in similar circumstances.
• Police investigations to identify the parents of all three abandoned babies have been exhausted, with no further leads after extensive enquiries, including door-to-door DNA hunts.
• On Thursday, at East London Family Court, it was revealed that Elsa, now nearly two years old, is thriving, already living with her prospective adoptive family, and has formed a loving relationship with them.
• All three children’s adoptive parents have agreed to regular contact arrangements, including the siblings seeing photos of each other and having playdates twice a year as they grow up.
• Judge Carol Atkinson described Elsa’s story as “extraordinary” and emphasised that it is “fundamental to her existence that she shares that story with two full siblings.”
• The judge called Elsa a “beautiful little girl” and “a raucous bundle of excitement and laughter” who “lights up the space around her,” based on photos and reports presented in court.
• Judge Atkinson noted the exceptional nature of the siblings’ shared experience, stating: “No-one they will meet in life is likely to understand what it is like to be a foundling. But they each know and understand.”
• Over ten years, between 2008 and 2018, only eight children were recorded as “foundlings”—abandoned at birth—in England and Wales, highlighting the rarity of such cases.

Newham, East London (East London Times) January 13, 2026 – A girl known as “Elsa,” discovered abandoned as a newborn in a carrier bag near a footpath in Newham on 18 January 2024, is set to be formally adopted and will maintain regular contact with her two siblings—Harry, 8, and Roman, 6—as they grow up, East London Family Court has heard. The court learned that Elsa, now nearly two, is thriving in the care of her prospective adoptive family, with all parties agreeing to twice-yearly playdates and photo-sharing arrangements. Police enquiries to trace the parents remain exhausted, closing a chapter on one of east London’s most poignant child abandonment cases.

Who Is Baby Elsa and What Happened to Her?

“Elsa” came into the world under tragic circumstances, left in a carrier bag near a footpath in Newham, east London, before being found by a dog walker on 18 January 2024, as detailed in initial BBC reporting. Subsequent DNA tests established her as the full sibling of two other infants abandoned nearby in similar fashion—a boy discovered in 2017, now named Harry and aged 8, and a girl found in 2019, now Roman and aged 6. These revelations emerged from police investigations linking the cases through genetic evidence.

As reported by BBC News, police confirmed that all enquiries to identify the parents of the abandoned babies have now been “exhausted,” with no further leads pursued after extensive efforts. This included door-to-door DNA sampling in the local community, as covered in a BBC article titled “Police going door-to-door in DNA hunt for parents of abandoned baby Elsa and siblings.” Another BBC piece, “Abandoned baby Elsa is third newborn deserted by same parents,” underscored that Elsa was the third newborn deserted by the same unknown parents, marking a rare pattern of repeated abandonments in the area.

What Did the Family Court Hear About Elsa’s Progress?

On Thursday, East London Family Court heard compelling evidence of Elsa’s positive development. The toddler, nearly two years old, is already living with her new family and has established a loving bond with them, according to court submissions. Her prospective adoptive parents, alongside those of Harry and Roman, have consented to ongoing sibling contact, including exchanging photos and arranging playdates twice a year to foster their unique connection.

Judge Carol Atkinson presided over the hearing and described Elsa’s narrative as “extraordinary,” stressing that it was “fundamental to her existence that she shares that story with two full siblings.” She remarked on photos of Elsa presented in court, calling her a “beautiful little girl” who is “a raucous bundle of excitement and laughter” and who “lights up the space around her.” The judge highlighted the siblings’ shared exceptional story, noting its rarity in modern Britain.

Why Is Sibling Contact Considered Essential Here?

Judge Atkinson emphasised the profound bond formed by the siblings’ identical experiences as foundlings. She stated: “No-one they will meet in life is likely to understand what it is like to be a foundling. But they each know and understand,” underscoring the irreplaceable empathy they offer one another. This arrangement ensures Elsa, Harry, and Roman can support each other emotionally as they mature, despite living with separate adoptive families.

The court’s decision aligns with expert views on the psychological importance of sibling relationships in adoption cases, particularly for children with traumatic origins. All adoptive parents’ agreement to regular meetings—via photos and biannual playdates—demonstrates a commitment to prioritising the children’s long-term wellbeing over isolation.

What Do Police Say About Efforts to Find the Parents?

Police investigations spanned years and involved exhaustive measures, including door-to-door appeals for DNA samples in Newham, as reported by BBC News in their coverage of the DNA hunt for Elsa’s parents and siblings. Despite these efforts, authorities declared all lines of enquiry closed, with no identification of the parents responsible for abandoning all three children.

The BBC article “Police going door-to-door in DNA hunt for parents of abandoned baby Elsa and siblings” detailed how officers canvassed the neighbourhood following Elsa’s discovery, building on prior probes into Harry and Roman’s cases. Similarly, “Abandoned baby Elsa is third newborn deserted by same parents” confirmed the genetic link but noted the absence of parental breakthroughs, leaving the mystery unresolved.

How Rare Are Cases Like Elsa’s in England and Wales?

Judge Carol Atkinson provided stark context on the scarcity of foundlings, revealing that between 2008 and 2018—over ten years—only eight children were recorded as abandoned at birth in England and Wales. This statistic illustrates the outlier nature of the Newham trio’s story, amplifying its “extraordinary” quality as described in court.

The siblings’ case stands apart not just for its repetition but for the judicial focus on preserving their unity. As the judge noted, their shared history equips them uniquely to comprehend each other’s lives in ways few others could.

Who Are the Siblings and What Are Their Current Lives Like?

Harry, the eldest at 8, was abandoned in 2017 near the same Newham location, followed by Roman in 2019 at age 6 now. Elsa completes the trio, found in 2024. Each has been placed with loving adoptive families, where they are reportedly flourishing—Elsa in particular described as a vibrant presence.

Court agreement ensures they will not lose touch: photos will circulate regularly, and playdates twice yearly will allow face-to-face interaction. This structured contact aims to nurture their sibling ties amid otherwise separate upbringings.

What Role Did the Dog Walker Play in Elsa’s Discovery?

A vigilant dog walker stumbled upon the carrier bag containing newborn Elsa near the Newham footpath on 18 January 2024, prompting immediate emergency response. This serendipitous find, as chronicled in BBC’s initial report, mirrored the discoveries of Harry and Roman, alerting authorities to a potential pattern early on.

The walker’s quick action ensured Elsa’s survival, leading to medical care and the subsequent DNA linkage that revealed her siblings.

Why Was the Case Heard at East London Family Court?

The hearing took place at East London Family Court, the jurisdiction covering Newham, on Thursday. Judge Carol Atkinson’s involvement lent authority to the adoption and contact orders, balancing legal finality with the children’s best interests.

Proceedings focused on Elsa’s adoption approval while cementing sibling access rights, reflecting a holistic judicial approach.

What Happens Next for Elsa, Harry, and Roman?

With police enquiries closed and court approvals secured, Elsa’s adoption will proceed, integrating her fully into her new family. Regular sibling interactions—photos and playdates—stand formalised, promising ongoing support.

This resolution offers closure to a harrowing saga, prioritising the children’s futures. As Judge Atkinson affirmed, their unbreakable sibling link remains a cornerstone of their identities.