Surrey police seek suspect who allegedly broke into NICU, ‘made skin-to-skin contact’ with babies

Authorities are trying to identify a woman who broke into the NICU at Surrey Memorial Hospital and made skin-to-skin contact with babies.

Update, Nov. 29: Surrey police say they have identified and arrested the suspect, who is now being held for a bail hearing. The original story follows.

Police in Surrey are asking the public for help identifying the suspect in a highly unusual assault case.

The incident occurred a month ago, around 6:55 a.m. on Oct. 28, when “a female suspect gained entry to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Surrey Memorial Hospital,” the Surrey Police Service said in a news release Friday.

“The suspect then allegedly removed her shirt and made skin-to-skin contact with three infants,” the release reads, adding that none of the babies were injured in the interaction.

“Hospital security officers were notified and removed the female from the property.”

Police were notified around 1 p.m. on the day of the incident and began investigating. So far, however, “all attempts” to identify the suspect have been unsuccessful, police said.

They’re now releasing a photo of the woman and asking the public for help identifying her.

Police described the suspect as a white woman in her 30s with a “heavy build.” She stands 5′2″ and was last seen wearing a black hoodie with the words “Essentials Department” in white on the chest. She also wore “dirty grey sweatpants, cream-coloured sandals” and black socks, and was carrying a camouflage jacket, police said.

The SPS asked anyone with information on the suspect’s identity to call its non-emergency line at 604-599-0502 and quote file number 25-94777 (SP).