POLICE believe they have identified the mother of a baby who was found abandoned on the doorstep of a house in Worcester last month.

A woman in her 30s from Worcester was arrested yesterday along with a man, also in his 30s, on suspicion of child neglect.

The pair were questioned at length and released on police bail later the same day pending further inquiries Baby Joseph was found in a hessian bag after the doorbell was rung at a house in the Columbia Drive area of Lower Wick at about 4.30am on Thursday, July 18.

He was thought to be about 24 hours old when found.

Detective Inspector Neil Austin, who led the search to find the mother, said: “We are all relieved that we believe we have finally traced Joseph’s mother.

“I would like to thank the media and the public for all the support they shown for Joseph and for our efforts to find his mother.

“A number of calls from the public provided vital lines of inquiry and I would especially like to thank those people who responded to our appeals and told us about the concerns they had.”

Det insp Austin added: “Our investigation into this case continues and we now have to look at whether those arrested have behaved in a criminal manner and whether it is in the public interest for them to be dealt with for any possible offences. We will be liaising with our partner agencies before any decisions are made.

“As we have arrested two people and a criminal investigation is underway, I cannot give any further details about the circumstances around this unfortunate case other than to say Joseph continues to thrive with the care he is being given.”

After being cared for by midwives at the Worcestershire Royal Hospital, baby Joseph he was passed into the care of social services and is currently being looked after by foster parents.

Police and midwives made several appeals to the mother to come forward and for information from the public.