'Distraught' woman turns up at hospital carrying dead baby in a backpack

A woman turned up to hospital with a dead baby in a backpack (Image: Getty Images)

A "confused" woman left medical staff astonished when she arrived at hospital carrying a deceased infant in a rucksack. Healthcare professionals believed the child had been lifeless for "several hours" when brought to the facility at 11am on Monday, December 22.

The woman appeared "visibly distraught" and was "speaking incoherently" upon meeting staff at Toulouse University Hospital. Initially, she reportedly claimed to have received the baby from an acquaintance, according to French news outlet 7Sur7. Police sources indicate the woman alleged a "friend had given her the bag and asked her to get rid of it, and that when she saw what was inside, she decided to take it to the hospital".

Toulouse University Hospital in France (Image: Getty Images)

However, the senior nurse at the hospital chose to contact police following the shocking discovery.

The 23-year-old woman was then arrested as investigators commenced a murder inquiry.

An autopsy was scheduled for Tuesday to determine the infant's cause of death.

Authorities are said to suspect the woman is the child's mother.

This follows their belief that she delivered the baby at home unassisted on Sunday, December 21.

"According to her medical examination and her initial statements in police custody, she had given birth the day before, alone, at her home," a police source informed Actu Toulouse.

Nurses called police after the discovery (Image: MATTHIEU RONDEL/AFP via Getty Images)

Whilst the child was initially thought to be stillborn, officers now confirm it was full-term.

Local media coverage suggests uncertainty persists regarding how the baby perished. The woman remains hospitalised following the incident.

In a separate incident across Toulouse, a man allegedly attacked his two flatmates with a knife to the neck during the early hours of Sunday morning.

Police confirmed both victims were rushed to hospital after the assault.

Fortunately, authorities stated they "are doing well: the injuries, especially the one to the neck, were not deep".

A man was subsequently detained in connection with the attack.

According to Actu Toulouse, he was scheduled to appear before magistrates following the assault.

Emergency crews were also summoned to a four-storey building in the French city on Christmas Day after a blaze broke out.

No injuries were reported during the fire, though firefighters confirmed one resident required emergency housing.

Five fire engines and 19 firefighters responded to Impasse des Hérons at approximately 3.30pm.

They deployed water hoses to bring the flames under control before clearing smoke from the apartment block.

One flat reportedly sustained "significant smoke damage".