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Walsall mum stole identity to try to keep baby | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A pregnant woman stole another woman's identity from a social-networking site to try to stop her own baby from being removed from her care. | |
The mother, who has not been identified, was able to leave Walsall Manor Hospital with her newborn child in August. | |
She gave birth using the details of another mother, who was booked in at a neighbouring trust's hospital. | |
Walsall Manor Hospital said the case was "very rare". | |
The baby has since been removed from the mother. | |
The incident only came to light when when the mother-to-be whose identity had been stolen attended a GP appointment while she was still pregnant. | |
Her GP had notes to show the woman had given birth on 31 August. | |
A document obtained by the BBC shows the woman who stole the identity referred herself to Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust while in labour. | |
Pregnancy records | |
The woman had previously had three children removed from her, who had all been placed in the care of the local authority. | |
She provided the trust with all the details of her assumed identity and pregnancy. | |
The woman who stole the identity did not have her pregnancy records with her and told hospital staff they were instead with the community midwife. | |
The hospital midwife called the neighbouring hospital to confirm the pregnancy details and checks were made against the other woman's identity. | |
The Walsall Healthcare Trust said that since that incident it had carried out an investigation into what happened. | |
It said it had now strengthened its procedures for admitting women in labour and later discharging them. | |
The trust said anyone turning up without their notes would need to have their identification formally confirmed by the hospital, social services and the police. | |
Anyone who cannot get their identity confirmed may be prevented from being discharged from the hospital. | |
Richard Kirby, the trust's chief executive, said: "The incident related to an identity theft by an individual using our maternity service. Although this is a very rare occurrence, the learning from this incident has been of value across the organisation." | |
Kat Tremlett from the UK Safer Internet Centre, said: "Pregnant women and new mums often use online forums to share experiences. | |
"You are talking to people you believe are going through the same experiences and perhaps you let down your guard a little. | |
"We would urge women to take the same precautions they would use on any other internet site." | |
Jo Walker, from the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, which campaigns on personal safety, said: "It's easy to think you know people you have met online and that they are your friends and and you can end up sharing a lot of information with them. | |
"But you have no idea if what they are saying is true and how they are going to use that information." |