Victorian woman charged with child stealing

A woman has been charged with child stealing after the day-old baby and her teenage mother disappeared from the special care unit of a Victorian hospital.

Baby Phoebe and her mother, 17-year-old Amanda Clay, returned to the Northern Hospital on this afternoon, police say.

Their reappearance came shortly after police charged a 27-year-old Mill Park woman with child stealing and reckless conduct.

Police were called after three women took Phoebe from the hospital on Thursday afternoon shortly after she had been placed in a special care unit.

Amanda then left the hospital of her own accord.

Inspector Darren Franks said earlier in the day that there were fears for their welfare as both needed medical attention.

"The hospital has told us that both girls need to be back in hospital as a matter of urgency to receive emergency medical attention," he said.

It's unclear whether the woman who allegedly took Phoebe had her mother's permission.

The Mill Park woman has been bailed to appear in court at a later date.