A seven-day-old baby who tested positive for cocaine was found after being taken from a Gandia hospital. Police detained both parents and a third person. The newborn is now back under medical care.
A newborn girl, just seven days old, was found and returned to hospital care in Gandia after being taken from Hospital Francesc de Borja. The incident, which unfolded late Thursday, led to the arrest of both parents and another family member. The baby had previously tested positive for cocaine, prompting authorities to involve social services in her case.
According to the National Police, the father was directly responsible for removing the infant from the hospital. He was detained after leaving the baby with relatives in Gandia. The mother was initially held at the hospital and later formally arrested. Police also detained the mother's adult daughter, believed to have assisted in hiding the newborn from social services.
All actions were coordinated by the Family and Women’s Unit (UFAM) of the Gandia police station. The baby was quickly located and readmitted to the hospital for further observation and care. The case highlights ongoing challenges faced by authorities when parents attempt to evade intervention by social services, especially in situations involving substance exposure in newborns.
Valencia has seen several high-profile police operations in recent years, including financial crimes and family-related incidents. For example, a recent major fraud case in Silla resulted in the arrest of four family members accused of orchestrating a Ponzi scheme, underlining the region's ongoing focus on protecting vulnerable individuals and investigating complex family situations.
Spanish law requires hospitals to notify authorities if a newborn tests positive for illegal substances, triggering immediate involvement from social services. In such cases, parents may temporarily or permanently lose custody, depending on the risk to the child. The swift response in Gandia reflects established protocols designed to safeguard children’s welfare. The investigation into the circumstances of the baby’s exposure and the actions of those involved continues, with all three detainees now facing legal proceedings.
