An Iowa man has been arrested for sneaking into an ICU for newborns to bottle-feed a baby who was not his.

The incident took place at MercyOne Hospital in the city of Des Moines in the US state of Iowa on 28th December last year.

After being unable to initially track down the suspect, the Des Moines Police Department (DMPD) said on social media on 26th January: “DMPD detectives are requesting the community’s assistance with identifying a person involved in a bizarre incident at a local hospital.

“During the late evening hours of Dec. 28, 2021, the person recorded on surveillance video shared in this news story, snuck into a secure area of a local hospital, misrepresented himself as a child’s father, and then bottle-fed the infant, before leaving.”

The police clarified: “The child was not harmed.”

DMPD continued: “If you recognize this person, please contact DMPD detectives at 515-237-1430. You may also submit anonymous tips through Crimestoppers of Central Iowa.”

In an update on 31st January, DMPD said: “Detectives have identified the person involved, and he has been charged with two counts of Criminal Trespassing. He will be booked into the Polk Co Jail on those charges, as well as an unrelated probation violation, shortly.

“This is certainly an alarming and unsettling incident. While the exact motive remains unclear, detectives did determine that there was no intent to cause the infant harm.”

According to local reports, the suspect, named as Adam Joseph Wedig, 36, is being detained at Polk County Jail for two counts of trespassing as well as an unrelated parole violation.

He allegedly claimed to be the baby’s father and went on to bottle-feed the tot.

It is unclear whether the suspect targeted the baby specifically or knew the baby’s parents.

The hospital said in a statement: “MercyOne takes the safety and security of our patients and families very seriously… The incident that took place last month is extremely troubling. We are actively cooperating with the Des Moines Police Department on this ongoing investigation and have conducted an internal investigation into the matter, which prompted several changes to our policies and protocols to expand our security and prevent this from occurring in the future.

“MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center continues to focus on providing safe and compassionate care and living out the ministry set forth by the Sisters of Mercy more than 130 years ago.”

A non-jury trial has reportedly been set up for 3rd March as the investigation continues.