A newborn girl disappeared from the neonatal unit at Francisco de Borja Hospital in Gandia, prompting an urgent police investigation. The incident followed a visit by the parents, and the baby was discovered missing shortly afterward. Hospital security staff alerted the Policía Nacional, which has taken charge of the case.
The Jefatura Superior de Policía de la Comunidad Valenciana identified the infant’s father as the basic suspect. Officers from the Family and Women's Care Unit (UFAM) at the Gandia police station are leading the search for him. No arrests have been made, and the investigation remains open.
The Generalitat Valenciana's Department of Health confirmed the disappearance and said the baby had been admitted to the neonatal ward before the incident. Afterward, the Directorate of Social Services, Family and Childhood in Alicante, where the parents are from, assumed guardianship of the newborn due to a situation of neglect, effective from Thursday.
Authorities are still clarifying the circumstances surrounding the disappearance, but their focus is on locating the father, who is believed to have taken the child. The hospital activated its internal security protocols immediately after the incident. Healthcare staff have been coordinating with law enforcement since the alert was raised.
Cases involving the unauthorized removal of infants from hospitals are rare in Spain, but they prompt immediate intervention from police and social services. The response in Gandia reflects established procedures to protect vulnerable minors and ensure their safety. Under Spanish law, regional authorities can assume temporary custody when a child is considered at risk or unaccounted for. The measure safeguards the child's welfare until the situation is resolved. The investigation will determine the next steps regarding the newborn's care and any potential legal consequences for those involved.
