21 September 2012 Last updated at 12:57 ET

Gwent Police's concern for missing mum and newborn baby

Sammy Edwards left the hospital just 12 hours after giving birth

A young mother who is feared missing after leaving hospital with her newborn baby boy is being sought by police.

19-year-old Sammy Edwards from Cwmbran walked out of the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport on Thursday afternoon just 12 hours after giving birth.

Health officials called police after Ms Edwards left with her baby without having her final post-natal checks.

Gwent Police believe she and the baby are in the Cwmbran area and want her to let them know she is safe and well.

Officers said Ms Edwards gave birth to a baby boy at around 05:00 BST on Thursday.

She was seen cuddling her baby in the maternity unit before getting dressed and walking out of the hospital carrying the child.

Ms Edwards managed to avoid hospital staff as she left the building at 16:30 BST on Thursday.

Police said that while there was nothing to suggest Ms Edwards or the baby were at higher risk than any other new mother and baby, they wanted her to contact them to let them know she was safe and well.

Officers have been carrying out local inquiries believing that the mother and baby are staying with someone they know in the Cwmbran area.

Ms Edwards is described as 5ft 4ins tall, of slim build and with black hair. When she was last seen she was wearing a black tracksuit and a pink hooded top.

Gwent Police said anyone with information is asked to call 101.