The baby who went missing on Thursday from the Favoriten Clinic in Vienna has been found dead outside the hospital grounds. The location was a trash container on Kundratstraße. The mother of the approximately one-week-old infant, who has been arrested, is now being investigated on suspicion of murder, as confirmed by the police to APA on Friday afternoon.
The baby had disappeared shortly before noon on Thursday from the neonatal ward (unit for premature babies) of the hospital. A nurse noticed the absence and raised the alarm. Despite a large-scale search operation, including the use of dogs and a drone during the night, no initial clues were found. The Vienna Health Association (WIGEV) emphasized on Thursday that there is no unrestricted access to the ward. This likely led suspicion to focus from the outset on the immediate family, particularly the mother. The 30-year-old Austrian citizen was questioned overnight and reportedly provided investigators with information on the baby’s location.
According to police spokesperson Anna Gutt, the baby girl’s body was discovered around 10:00 a.m. during the search. Information gathered during the mother’s interrogation suggested that the baby was outside the hospital grounds. This had already been considered on Thursday since the search within the hospital grounds had not yielded any clues. After pausing the search overnight, police resumed searching the area around the clinic, ultimately locating the deceased infant.
Investigators Ruled Out Kidnapping Early On
Investigators largely ruled out the possibility of kidnapping from the start. This was due in part to the hospital’s security measures, which make it nearly impossible for unauthorized individuals to access the ward. However, the police have not yet confirmed whether the mother explicitly admitted to abandoning her child. She remains strongly suspected of murder. Investigators are also unlikely to consider the application of Section 79—infanticide at birth—under Austrian law, which states: “A mother who kills her child during childbirth or while still under the influence of the childbirth process shall be punished with imprisonment for six months to five years.”
The cause of death remained unclear as of Friday morning. An autopsy has been ordered, and results are expected in the coming days. About two hours after the body was found, crime scene investigators from the state criminal investigation office were still working at the scene. The discovery site on Kundratstraße was cordoned off over a distance of eleven car lengths.
Shock and Grief at the Hospital and Operator
Staff at the Favoriten Clinic and the Vienna Health Association (WIGEV) expressed deep shock:
“Unfortunately, we have had to come to terms today with the fact that the missing baby was found dead outside the Favoriten Clinic. The police investigation into the circumstances is ongoing. This tragedy leaves us stunned. Our staff, who actively assisted the police in the search, are all deeply affected. They will receive psychological support as needed,” said Michaela Riegler-Keil, Medical Director of the clinic.
