A student nurse is currently standing trial in the United Kingdom on charges that she tried to kidnap a premature baby.
Prosecutors say Safia Ihmadei, 36, “scouted out” babies in the neonatal unit at New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton in February 2024 before she landed her focus on one child, questioning the baby’s mother.
“Whilst in the neo-natal unit about 5pm she spoke to the baby’s mother, she asked her a number of questions about her baby, and was particularly interested in her racial background. She asked if the baby was Muslim, or was Pakistani heritage. She asked about her sleeping and eating arrangements,” said Prosecutor Seamran Sidhu.
Sidhu also noted that though Ihmadei is a first-year student, she lied to gain placement to the diabetic ward, which was right next to the neonatal unit in the hospital.
Ihmadi was repeatedly caught sneaking into the neonatal ward and going to the infant’s side or asking to see him, despite being told to leave. Her repeated offenses resulted in her suspension, but just hours later she returned wearing a large overcoat as an attempt to disguise herself. When the child’s mother spotted her once again asking after the baby, police were called and she was arrested.
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After Ihmadei’s arrest, police found numerous baby items in her possession as well as a passport and large amounts of cash.
“The items further support the assertion [she] had an intention to take the baby,” said Sidhu.
Sidhu went on to tell the court, “But for the actions and intervention of the nurses and the parents of the baby, she would have succeeded in taking that baby.”
Ihmadei’s sister-in-law has also testified, telling the court that Ihmadei had told family members she was pregnant with twins and had given birth in January 2024, but she wouldn’t let anyone see the babies. She later said one of the twins had died.
Ihmadei has been charged with conspiring to kidnap and is pleading not guilty.
