The tragic discovery of the ‘young baby’, referred to as Baby A by officers, was made at the entrance to Ashtons Field, near a lay-by on Cleggs Lane in Little Hulton, just before 12.30pm on Wednesday
A piece of fabric found with the remains of a baby in a snow-covered field in Salford could be crucial in identifying the child, according to police.
The tragic discovery of the ‘young baby’, referred to as Baby A by officers, was made at the entrance to Ashtons Field, near a lay-by on Cleggs Lane in Little Hulton, just before 12.30pm on Wednesday, November 20. Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have been consulting experts, including archaeologists, to determine how long the infant had been there.
Detective Chief Inspector Charlotte Whalley, from GMP’s Major Incident Team, made a heartfelt appeal to the baby’s mother to come forward. She said officers still don’t know the gender, ethnicity or age of the baby, but are hoping those questions can be answered a following a post mortem, due to be held ‘early next week’.
“Hopefully next week we will have more answers on that,” she said. “At the moment, we just don’t know.” The baby was found by a lone female dog walker on Wednesday, she added.
The baby was discovered by a lone female dog walker, who initially called a relative ‘in shock’ before contacting the police ‘more or less immediately’, reports the Manchester Evening News. DCI Whalley has shared that detectives have been collaborating with soil experts, anthropologists, and archaeologists to determine the duration of time the baby had been at the site.
“I would hope they can provide us with some answers regarding that,” DCI Whalley confirmed. She continued: “We do believe there was some fabric on the baby, around the baby,” noting that the material had been collected for analysis amidst significant amounts of mud. She also mentioned that Greater Manchester Police (GMP) are working closely with these specialists to uncover how long the baby had been there.
In addition, DCI Whalley highlighted their partnership with the National Crime Agency (NCA), which could offer the expertise of a criminal psychologist if necessary. The community’s ‘fantastic support’ has been evident, she said, in the wake of widespread ’emotion and grief’.
“If you’ve been to the scene, you’ll have seen that, with all the tributes,” DCI Whalley remarked. She added that the public has been forthcoming with valuable information, aiding the police in pursuing all leads.
Addressing the mother directly, DCI Whalley stated: “This week, we have discovered the remains of a baby near to the layby off Cleggs Lane, by Ashtons Field in Little Hulton. Our investigation is in the early stages and we do not know the background or circumstances that have led to this baby being separated from the mum.
“We don’t know the pressures the mum might have been under before she gave birth or in the time afterwards, but our priority is to find answers, and to make sure the mum is safe. We know that this baby’s mum is somewhere out there, potentially watching this, and we would appeal for anyone who may know the mum or had their suspicions about her pregnancy to come forward so we can find her and speak to her. We will do everything we can to help the mum. Trained officers are ready to support her, no matter what the circumstances are, please contact us.”
