Baby abandoned near Loulé

THE MOTHER who abandoned her baby on Sunday alongside the Loulé circular road has already been identified and placed under house arrest. The Family and Minors’ Court will now decide the future of the 17-month-old boy of African origin, who, for the moment, is being cared for at the Refúgio Aboim Ascensão children’s home in Faro. Found abandoned in his pram at the side of the road by a GNR officer on patrol at around 5am, the baby was said to have been “crying desperately”. The infant was taken immediately to Faro Hospital, was given a full examination, and seemed to be in good health, showing no signs of mistreatment. It is thought that the mother is a victim of domestic abuse and, for this reason, her partner has also been placed under house arrest pending an investigation. The mother, who is 21 years old, has been offered emergency support by social services and is staying at a separate address to her alleged abuser.