Runaway mum has baby girl

Jan 21 2008 By Jeanette Oldham

A PREGNANT woman who fled the Midlands after she was told her baby would be taken away within minutes of its birth has had a healthy girl.

Terrified Fran Lyon, 22, went on the run because she feared doctors and social workers suspected she might harm her daughter.

Ms Lyon, originally from Hexham, Northumberland, was brought to Birmingham in November by Yardley Liberal Democrat MP John Hemming.

Mr Hemming is campaigning nationally for a reform of the secretive way family courts are run.

Heavily-pregnant Ms Lyon later fled Birmingham for Sweden - ahead of a scheduled meeting between herself and Birmingham social services. She has been staying at a secret address ever since.

Last night Mr Hemming confirmed that Fran had given birth to a baby girl at a Swedish hospital. She has named her Molly.

"I have spoken to Fran this week and I understand that both mum and baby are doing well. I am hoping to speak to her again soon," he said.

The birth of Ms Lyon's baby has also been revealed on the chatroom website Mumsnet. A message posted on Tuesday evening read: "I am very pleased, excited and proud to announce the arrival of Molly Linda Anna on Sunday evening - mum and baby doing well! Just thought you'd all like to know. Woohoo!"

Social services became involved in the young woman's pregnancy in July last year after the mum-to-be called police to help her deal with an incident involving her ex-partner.

It led to her admitting that she had self-harmed at 15, had previously had an eating disorder and had received treatment for a borderline personality disorder.

But she said Northumberland social services feared she could develop Munchausen's Syndrome by Proxy - a condition said to lead mums to seek attention by harming their child or by claiming it is ill.

Fran was told to expect a maximum of 15 minutes with her newborn daughter before the child was taken into care.

In response to Fran's claims last year Northumberland Council said: "We don't comment on individual cases. It's not in the best interests of mother or child to disclose personal details in public."