Teenager disappears from Royal Gwent hospital 12 hours after giving birth

A teenager who disappeared from the Royal Gwent Hospital with her newborn baby is being sought by police.

Against the advice of hospital staff, 19-year-old Sammy Edwards from Cwmbran left with the baby yesterday afternoon - just 12 hours after giving birth.

She was said to be cuddling the newborn - a baby boy - in the maternity unit before getting dressed and walking out of the Newport hospital carrying him.

Police say she had discharged herself without her or the baby having their final health checks.

Buildings, grounds and car parks were searched for the mother, who had managed to avoid hospital staff as she left.

Doctors now say they are concerned for the health and well-being of mother and baby, and police have launched a missing person's inquiry.

Sammy is described as five feet four inches, of slim build and with black hair. When she was last seen she was wearing a black tracksuit and a pink hoody.

Police say it is possible she is still in the Cwmbran area and is perhaps staying with someone she knows.