Leicestershire police have said they are concerned for the well-being of a mum and newborn baby after a placenta was found on an industrial estate.
The after-birth was found three weeks ago on September 15, and the police and midwives at Leicester Royal Infirmary have now gone public to make an appeal for the mum to come forward.
This is Leicester news website reports that the placenta was found near Leicester city centre and was wrapped in a plastic.
Police said that tests on it revealed that the woman had given birth between two and seven days earlier.
Chief Inspector Donna Tobin-Davies said her force had been liaising closely with midwives at Leicester's Hospitals, and were appealing for the mum to come forward.
"They have also checked all relevant records for births in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland," she said. "Now we are carrying out a concern-for-welfare investigation, with the help of local health and social services."
Louise Payne, senior midwife at Leicester Royal Infirmary, said she was 'very concerned' about the health of the mother and her new baby.
"It is really important mum and baby are checked over very soon by a midwife," she said. "Mum is at high risk of haemorrhaging or getting an infection. We would also want to support her emotionally and, as far as the baby goes, with temperatures dropping, does the mum know things like how to keep them warm."
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Leicestershire Police on 101 and speak to Inspector Steve Durrant.