The search continues for a mother who discharged herself and her newborn baby from a Queensland hospital, despite her family dismissing police concerns and threatening legal action.
Two women were seen leaving with the baby from Ipswich Hospital on Monday in a white Suzuki, which has since been found.
Police issued an amber alert for 18-year-old Khloe Bornen, who police confirmed to be the child’s mother.
But Khloe’s mother, Manda-Jane Bornen, posted on Facebook that both the mother and her baby were “safe and well”.
“I’ve done what any mum would do to protect her child n (sic) grand child,” she posted on Wednesday morning.
“She left our home not the hospital … ill be suein (sic) for this discrimination (sic) of lies.”
Police confirmed to AAP that investigators were aware of the comments on social media made by the Bornen family.
Commissioner Katarina Carroll earlier hinted there were other issues involved in the alert.
“Certainly, we know there’s a little bit more about this behind the scenes, and the police will investigate that, but for now what we really need to do is find the mother and the child,” she told ABC radio.
“We are concerned about this child who is only a couple of days old.”
“We’re looking for the mother and the child. We know that the mother just had the child in hospital and has literally just taken the child.
West Moreton Health chief executive Hannah Bloch denied initial reports a third party might have taken the pair.
“The mother discharged herself and her child soon after giving birth,” she said in a statement.
“This was an isolated incident and the health care provided to mother and baby is not in question.”
Khloe Bornen is described as being caucasian and about 165cm tall with brown hair.
Police are expected to issue an update on Wednesday.
– AAP
