Man charged in Haderslev baby abduction had drugs in his system

A 37-year-old man accused of abducting a seven-month-old girl in Haderslev in March tested positive for traces of amphetamine, cocaine and methadone, a court has heard.

Forensic toxicology reports confirmed the presence of the substances in his blood, prosecutor Anemarie Haahr told a custody hearing at Sønderborg Court on Tuesday. The man, whose identity is protected by a court order, remains in pre-trial detention following the ruling.

Police also tested the contents of a baby bottle found in the suspect’s possession at the time of his arrest, though the results were not disclosed during the hearing.

The infant disappeared from a private garden on Jomfrustien in Haderslev around 6 PM on March 9 while sleeping in a pram. She was found about 90 minutes later at the nearby Hotel Norden, where the suspect was detained at 7:20 PM holding the child. The girl was dressed only in outerwear and without a diaper, investigators said.

Prosecutors allege the man admitted intending to harm the child but claimed he had not yet done so. In addition to abduction, he faces a charge of attempted rape. Medical examinations at Odense University Hospital found no semen traces on the infant, according to earlier court proceedings.

The suspect has pleaded not guilty to all charges. The investigation remains ongoing.