Authorities find mother of baby left on train

A mother who left her newborn baby on an intercity train in Basel shortly before Christmas may have been found, authorities said on Thursday.

A 23-year-old woman living in Germany was arrested on Wednesday evening in Bavaria. She reportedly admitted to abandoning her ten-day-old baby in a cradle on a train bound for Baden on December 19.

The mother’s name was not released, but authorities said she worked as a domestic servant in southern Germany. They would not name the town or provide further details while a German investigation continues.

Klaus Mannhart of Basel’s justice department said the mother had been found thanks to international bulletins posted about the case. Tips from citizens played no role, he said.

Authorities said baby “Vasana”, as the infant came to be known, is healthy and has been living in the care of a Basel family prepared to handle such emergencies.