Sick baby snatched from intensive care found

The father of a sick baby snatched from hospital by his mother is being sought by police as they continue to investigate why he was taken.

Eleven-day-old Jacob has been returned to the newborn intensive care unit at Starship Children's Hospital where he is in a stable condition and has been placed in the custody of Child Youth and Family after being found this morning.

He has a muscular condition requiring a tube for feeding and needs specialist care.

Police are still assessing whether to lay criminal charges over the incident.

About 8.45pm last night Jacob was discovered missing and CCTV footage allegedly revealed images of his mother, Leah Brewster, also known as Faatavaelea Brewster, 25, removing him from the hospital.

It is believed she was accompanied by Jacob's father, James Vemoa, 26, said police.

Officers searched through the night for the baby and before 8am today someone connected to the family contacted police after seeing media coverage about his disappearance.

Jacob was found at an unidentified address in Auckland with his mother. Other people were also at the house, said Northern Police Communications spokesman Inspector Peter Raynes.

"The baby was alive and well when police officers arrived," he said.

Police were still seeking Mr Vemoa, whose whereabouts was unknown, said Inspector Raynes.

Mr Vemoa, is Maori and from Grey Lynn. He was wearing long black shorts, black shoes and socks, and a black T-shirt last night.

Police questioned Ms Brewster at the address this morning and she and baby Jacob were returned to hospital to be checked.

The investigation team are yet to decide whether charges will be laid. A police statement is expected later today.

Baby Jacob has been readmitted to the intensive care unit, where he is in a stable condition.

"We're very relieved to have Jacob back in our care," said Auckland District Health Board communications manager Mark Fenwick.

Child Youth and Family was now working with police to ensure Jacob's safety, a spokeswoman said.

The agency had previously been involved with the family, she confirmed.

Security at the intensive care unit has been increased since Jacob was taken and Mr Fenwick said he expected a review to take place.

Visitors to the unit are required to report to the charge nurse or duty nurse and advise who they are visiting as part of usual procedure, said Mr Fenwick.

In January last year Auckland woman Neha Narayan kidnapped a baby from Middlemore Hospital.

She took the baby from a maternity ward crib six months after she had suffered a miscarriage. As a result of mental health issues and relationship problems, she had pretended she was still pregnant and even bought infant's clothes and other baby items, the High Court at Auckland was told.

The 25-year-old said she took the newborn to convince her partner she had given birth.

She was sentenced to two years' intensive supervision and 200 hours' community work.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Mr Vemoa is urged to call the police.