Baby 'Mai' mother unaware daughter had been dumped

The mother of abandoned baby "Mai" was unaware her daughter had been dumped on a Sydney doorstep, it has been revealed.

Fairfax Media reported the little girl, dubbed "Mai" by carers, was in the care of her father when abandoned on Monday night.

The unidentified mother of the girl, aged about 18 months, told police she was only alerted to the drama after seeing media reports.

She was taken into custody by the immigration department on Tuesday night after she was found distraught and wandering near Auburn Police Station earlier that day.

"The woman was alerted to the child's whereabouts after seeing media reports," a Family and Community Services spokesman said.

"Police are still hunting for the father, he has gone to ground."

It is understood the 24-year-old woman, believed to be a Chinese national, was detained due to a visa issue.

The mother and daughter are expected to be back together soon and will live in immigration housing adjacent to Villawood detention centre until their immigration status is resolved.

"Both mother and child are well," a spokeswoman for Immigration Minister Scott Morrison said.

"It would not be appropriate to go into further detail."

A man, who did not want to be named, answered his doorbell only to find the child staring back at him on Monday.

Dressed in a black and white top, grey shorts and wrapped snugly in a light green blanket, the child showed signs of being well cared for.

A bag with a bottle and baby formula were also left on the doorstep.

Further comment is being sought from the minister.

Source: Sydney Morning Herald
Author: Chloe Ross, Approving editor: Jack Hawke