Baby X finds a new home in New Zealand

Baby X, the child who has been cared for by Vaiola hospital staff since being found swaddled in plastic three months ago, has found a new home.

The Supreme Court this week granted an application for adoption to a Tongan born couple living in New Zealand who the court decided would be able to provide the child with a financially secure and stable family environment.

Four couples had applied to adopt her.

In his judgement, Lord Chief Justice Paulsen said all the applicants would have made suitable parents and said that his paramount aim had been in doing what was best for the child.

Lord Chief Justice Paulsen praised the staff at the hospital for the care they had given Baby X.

Baby  X  was  found  in  a  bush  area  in  Nuku’alofa on July 22 swaddled  in plastic.

She was  new  born and the identity of her mother remains unknown.

Lord Chief Justice Paulsen said that in  New   Zealand   Baby   X   would   enjoy   material   benefits  not available  to  many  in Tonga  and have greater  access  to  health  care  and  education  options.

New Zealand would also provide a  greater  chance  for  anonymity  and  accordingly less  risk  that  Baby  X  would  suffer  from  any  stigma  resulting from the circumstances  of her birth.

“There is no risk that Baby X will lose any family ties, as she obviously has none at the present time, but she  will also benefit from a close knit immediate  family  and  a supportive extended  family,” the judge said.

The main points

  • Baby X, the child who has been cared for by Vaiola hospital staff since being found swaddled in plastic three months ago, has found a new home.
  • The Supreme Court this week granted an application for adoption to a Tongan born couple living in New Zealand.
  • Lord Chief Justice Paulsen said Baby X would enjoy a better standard of living in New Zealand.
  • Baby X  was  found  in  a  bush  area  in  Nuku’alofa on July 22 swaddled  in plastic.

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