Police break into car to rescue baby and find it’s actually a lifelike doll

Police have been left red-faced after they smashed a window of a car in order to save what they thought was a baby left behind on a hot day – only to discover that it was a lifelike doll.

Five-year-old Chanel Cristofis had left the Reborn doll, named Sam, in her dad’s car when he dropped her to school.

He then parked his car and went to work at the fish and chip shop he owns in Worksop, Nottinghamshire.

A passer-by then reported that they had seen a baby left in a car, and officers broke into the car, amid fears that the ‘baby’ could die in the heat.

Chanel’s dad Anastasi, 37, said: ‘I couldn't believe it when the police turned up holding the doll and told me what had happened. The officer told me not to leave it in the car again.’

The police caused £200 worth of damage to the car in order to save Sam, the doll.

Sgt Robert Holmes said: ‘The call was made in good faith. Drivers need to think about what they leave on view in their cars.’

Mother-of-three Victoria Cristofis, 25, bought the realistic £100 Reborn doll – some of which even have birthmarks and anatomically correct veins – for her daughter Chanel's birthday in June.

The intricate Reborn dolls are made to look exactly like real babies and this isn’t the first time Chanel’s doll has caused a stir.

Chanel's mum Victoria, 25, said: ‘She is inseparable from this doll but it has caused all sorts of problems.

‘A woman in a supermarket saw Chanel shaking it and was horrified. She asked what sort of mother I thought I was to allow my baby to be treated like that.

‘I had to explain to her that it wasn't real. She didn't believe me at first then she inspected it and realised it was a doll. We ended up having a laugh about it.

She was grateful for their efforts though. She said: ‘I can see why the police did it. If it had been real, everyone would be thanking them.

'Now we are just laughing about it really, it's a good tale to tell our family and friends. I can't separate Chanel from Sam but I am a bit worried about what's going to happen next. She's only had her a month and already the police have been involved, I'm just wondering what's next,' she added.


/Metro/