Teen who abandoned baby faces a year in prison

A European teenager who abandoned her child on a Dubai street faces up to a year in prison if convicted of harming a child.

DUBAI // A teenager was arrested for abandoning her child on a street, Dubai Police have confirmed.

The incident occurred in early December in a residential neighbourhood of New Dubai.

Police were unable to confirm her nationality but said that she was an 18-year-old European.

It had previously been reported that the girl was British. When contacted for comment, the British Embassy said it “never comments on cases involving minors".

Police said the family had recently moved to the UAE, and that the teenager became pregnant out of wedlock before entering the country.

A security guard found the child and informed police, who took the newborn boy to Al Wasl Hospital. Police say the baby was in good health.

Believing the mother would be likely seek medical help for post-birth effects, police reportedly focused their search for her in hospitals.

They were able to identify the teenage mother after reviewing medical records at different Dubai hospitals.

Upon questioning, she admitted to police she had had a relationship outside of wedlock, and identified the father.

The case has been referred to public prosecution, and police say the mother faces up to a year in prison if convicted of harming a child.

Dubai Police say the mother and child were reunited.