If Faced With a Possible Abduction

• Immediately call the local police and hosp;ital security.
• Implement your hospital abduction procedure plan.
• Secure the hospital, pposting someone at all exits, directing visitors to exit through the main lobby. Pay particular attention to anyone carrying luggage, gym bag, etc.
• Search the entire interior and exterior of the facility starting with the unit. This should include a head count of infants and mothers.
• Question the mother as to the child's possible location.
• Move the victim's parents to a private room off the maternity floor and assign hospital staff (preferabley their nurse) to be with them at all times to ensure their privacy and monitor their condition.
• Secure the crime scene in order to preserve the subsequent collection on any forensic evidence required by police.
• If at shift change, hold the staff until excused by police.
• The nursing unit director should brief all unit staff and they should explain the situation to each mother preferably while the mother and infant are together.
• Notify surrounding hospitals about the incident and provide a full description of the infant and abductor (if possible).
• Brief the local hospital spokesperson to inform the local media by requesting their assistance in acurately reporting the facts and soliciting the support of the public.
• Instruct hospital employees that all inquiries, including press, are to be referred to the designated spokesperson.
• Prepare the switchboard for an influx of calls and identify to whom and where they are to be directed.
• Have a prepared sighting form so that any information can be uniformly gathered.
• Prepare a statement for non case-related personnel including anxious parents who are planning to deliver their baby at your hospital.
• Ensure that all information on abduction is cleared by hospital and law enforcement authorities before being released.
• All units including paediatric units, emergency rooms and outpatient clinics should be notified about the incident and be provided with a full description of the baby and the abductor.
• Be sensitive to the staff who may suffer post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the abduction. Organize group sessions allowing them, to discuss their emotions.