Baby on plane charges `likely'

Police are likely to prosecute a woman who allegedly abandoned her newborn baby after she gave birth on a flight to Auckland yesterday.

Police began an investigation following reports that the woman abandoned her newborn baby shortly after a Pacific Blue flight from Apia to Auckland landed about  5.20am.

``Police are currently investigating the mother's actions after the birth of the  child,'' a Counties-Manukau police spokeswoman said this afternoon.

``A likelihood of this investigation is a criminal prosecution.''

The woman, believed to be a Samoan citizen, and her child were taken to Auckland's Middlemore Hospital after they were reunited at the airport.

The woman was reportedly trying to exit the airport but had forgotten her passport. She sought help from authorities, who noticed she was pale and bloodstained.

An Auckland Airport spokeswoman said ``the baby was found on the aircraft'' after landing.

One report quoted sources as saying that the baby was born in the plane's toilet  and then abandoned in a rubbish bin.

The woman underwent surgery yesterday before police were able to speak to her.

Pacific Blue's website says pregnant women need medical clearance to board a flight if they had experienced complications or had passed the 36-week mark.

It also trains staff to check whether passengers are pregnant, though the airline did not say if these checks were carried out on the woman in question.

- NZPA