Bristol mother Charlotte Bevan and missing baby CCTV issued

CCTV footage of a mother and her four-day-old baby who have gone missing from a Bristol hospital has been issued.

Charlotte Bevan disappeared from St Michael's Hospital with her daughter, named Zaani Tiana, between 20:30 and 21:00 GMT on Tuesday.

Police and her boyfriend Pascal Malbrouck have made a direct appeal for her to get in touch.

Det Ch Insp Simon Crisp said he was convinced the 30-year-old has her baby's "best interest at heart".

"I have a message for Charlotte, it's not a crime to take your own baby from hospital," he said.

Forensics teams have been searching for clues following the disappearance of Charlotte Bevan

Ms Bevan did not have a coat or shoes and is thought to have been wearing hospital slippers, while her baby was wrapped only in blankets.

'Left unexpectedly'

Overnight temperatures in the city were close to freezing.

Officers searched the surrounding area and although they found nothing a wheelie bin wrapped in tarpaulin was taken away by forensics officers.

"I've spoken to [hospital] staff and they are convinced she is a caring and thoughtful mother," Det Insp Crisp said.

"What worries me is that she left unexpectedly and didn't tell friends or family.

Charlotte Bevan left the hospital on Tuesday evening

"If you are with a friend then they, or you, have nothing to fear from coming forward."

Mr Bevan was due to leave hospital on Thursday.

A spokesman for University Hospitals Bristol, which runs St Michael's Hospital, said Ms Bevan discharged herself for "reasons unknown to us" and there were no signs she was planning to leave.

"Charlotte and her baby were seen by staff at 20.30; when staff went to check on her at 21.05 they found Charlotte and her baby missing and immediately sounded the alarm," he said.

'We all love you'

Mr Malbrouck urged Ms Bevan to "come back".

"The last two days as a family was amazing and I really want to do that for much longer. I'm waiting for you," he said.

Her mother Rachel Fortune also appealed for her daughter to "please get in touch".

"We all love you," she added.

Friends have said Ms Bevan, from Bristol, is part of a "happy couple" and her disappearance is totally "out of character".

She is described as white, around 5ft 8in tall, of average build with dark wavy hair.

She was thought to be wearing a black top and black trousers when she left the hospital on Southwell Street, while the baby was in blue and white striped and coloured blankets.

Police are continuing to scour the city for the newborn baby and mother, and said they are investigating a number of unconfirmed sightings.