This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/dec/04/baby-girl-dead-body-charlotte-bevan-avon-gorge

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Baby girl found dead near body of Charlotte Bevan in Avon Gorge Baby girl found dead near body of Charlotte Bevan in Avon Gorge
(about 2 hours later)
Police have discovered the body of a baby girl in the Avon Gorge in Bristol just an hour after confirming that another body found close by was that of her mother, Charlotte Bevan.Police have discovered the body of a baby girl in the Avon Gorge in Bristol just an hour after confirming that another body found close by was that of her mother, Charlotte Bevan.
The mother and four-day-old child, Zaani Tiana, disappeared from St Michael’s maternity hospital on Tuesday evening, sparking a huge police search.The mother and four-day-old child, Zaani Tiana, disappeared from St Michael’s maternity hospital on Tuesday evening, sparking a huge police search.
Bevan’s body was discovered on Wednesday night after a member of the public spotted the pair of slippers she had been wearing when she left the hospital and a blanket at the top of the steep-sided gorge.Bevan’s body was discovered on Wednesday night after a member of the public spotted the pair of slippers she had been wearing when she left the hospital and a blanket at the top of the steep-sided gorge.
Police had continued to search for the child, desperately hoping she could have somehow survived in the sub-zero temperatures. A spokesman for Avon and Somerset police said the force would not be carrying out an investigation for the coroner. He said the deaths were not being treated as suspicious and described the case as “dreadful, awful, frustrating”. The force said the child had not been formally identified but officers were confident it was that of Zaani.Police had continued to search for the child, desperately hoping she could have somehow survived in the sub-zero temperatures. A spokesman for Avon and Somerset police said the force would not be carrying out an investigation for the coroner. He said the deaths were not being treated as suspicious and described the case as “dreadful, awful, frustrating”. The force said the child had not been formally identified but officers were confident it was that of Zaani.
The discovery of the baby girl’s body comes as questions intensify about what supervision her mother was receiving.The discovery of the baby girl’s body comes as questions intensify about what supervision her mother was receiving.
One line of inquiry being followed by police is that Bevan had mental health issues and may have made changes to medication she was taking so she could breastfeed her baby. She is believed to have suffered from schizophrenia and depression in the past and been sleep deprived after giving birth.One line of inquiry being followed by police is that Bevan had mental health issues and may have made changes to medication she was taking so she could breastfeed her baby. She is believed to have suffered from schizophrenia and depression in the past and been sleep deprived after giving birth.
A spokeswoman for University Hospitals Bristol trust said a review of the care Bevan and her baby received would be undertaken.A spokeswoman for University Hospitals Bristol trust said a review of the care Bevan and her baby received would be undertaken.
She said: “While it remains unclear as to how Charlotte died, we will be conducting a thorough review of the care Charlotte and her baby received to see if there was anything we could have done.”She said: “While it remains unclear as to how Charlotte died, we will be conducting a thorough review of the care Charlotte and her baby received to see if there was anything we could have done.”
CCTV footage was released on Wednesday showing Bevan leaving the hospital with her baby on Tuesday evening.CCTV footage was released on Wednesday showing Bevan leaving the hospital with her baby on Tuesday evening.
During an emotional press conference at a Bristol police station on Wednesday, Bevan’s boyfriend, Pascal Malbrouck, and her mother, Rachel Fortune, had appealed for her to come home.During an emotional press conference at a Bristol police station on Wednesday, Bevan’s boyfriend, Pascal Malbrouck, and her mother, Rachel Fortune, had appealed for her to come home.
University Hospitals Bristol said Bevan had been due to be discharged from St Michael’s hospital on Thursday.University Hospitals Bristol said Bevan had been due to be discharged from St Michael’s hospital on Thursday.
“Charlotte was recovering from the birth of her baby, and there were no indications that she was planning to self-discharge. Charlotte and her baby were seen by staff at 20.30. When staff went to check on her at 21.05 they found Charlotte and her baby missing and immediately sounded the alarm.”“Charlotte was recovering from the birth of her baby, and there were no indications that she was planning to self-discharge. Charlotte and her baby were seen by staff at 20.30. When staff went to check on her at 21.05 they found Charlotte and her baby missing and immediately sounded the alarm.”
Bevan’s mother, Rachel Fortune, 59, said: “My beautiful daughter and granddaughter are now at peace.
“The family would like to thank all the friends of Pascal, Charlotte and Zaani, some of whom we have only met today.
“We would also like to say thank you for all the messages from everyone.
“We wish to thank all the hospital staff at St Michael’s and the mental healthcare team, past and present.
“The response and support from the public has been overwhelming and we would like to thank you all.
“We would also like to give our thanks to Avon and Somerset police and the volunteers from Avon search and rescue. We thank the press for their help and ask that we now be left in peace to grieve.”