The Mayor of Antwerp Els van Doesberg (Flemish nationalist) has told the daily Gazet van Antwerpen that another baby has been left behind in the foundling hatch. The foundling hatch that is provided by the not-for-profit organisation Moeders voor Moeders provides a place where a mother can leave behind their baby anonymously and safe in the knowledge that it will be cared for.
Ms van Doesberg says that the baby was found in the foundling hatch at the end of August. As it is a legal requirement that the Mayor has be appointed guardian when a baby is left behind in the foundling hatch, It is Ms van Doesberg that is the baby’s legal guardian. The baby is a little girl and she is called Nina. The Mayor of Antwerp became a mother herself just before the summer and was on maternity leave until the end of August.
For privacy reasons, the exact date on which the baby was found has not been disclosed. However, it was sometime towards the end of August.
Mayor van Doesberg’s spokesman says that baby girl is currently in good health. Although he did not disclose where the baby is staying, he did say that she is in good hands.