Dumped baby case closed (From Worcester News)

Dumped baby case closed

7:10am Friday 12th March 2010 in

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DETECTIVES investigating the mystery of a baby whose body was found on a rubbish tip have closed the case.

After a year-and-half following up dozens of leads, officers have exhausted all lines of enquiry.

But Detective Inspector Adrian Todd, leading the investigation, said the case would be reopened if any new leads came to light.

He was speaking after more detailed forensic tests by a Home Office pathologist revealed the baby girl had been stillborn.

The child’s remains were found in waste collected from Worcester and taken to a sorting depot in Bromsgrove before ending up 100 miles away in Peterborough, in Cambridgeshire, in August 2008.

Mr Todd is now filing a report for the Cambridgeshire coroner detailing the investigation’s findings, after which is hoped the baby can finally be laid to rest.

He said it had been an “exhaustive investigation” which had yielded one arrest – the person was released without charge – and dozens of leads.

But without fresh information now coming to light the case will remain unsolved.

Mr Todd said: “We’ve exhausted all lines of enquiry at this time, so the investigation will be filed.

“But I wouldn’t want people to think that just because we’ve closed the file now, it wouldn’t be reopened again if information did come to light - as is the case with any serious criminal investigation.”

Police had hoped DNA tests would answer more questions but little of value was discovered and officers are still unable to say what race the child was.

The remains were traced to green bin collections from the Battenhall and Bath Road area of the city.

Mr Todd said: “Because of the proximity to the arterial route of Junction 7 of the M5 it isn’t beyond the realms of possibility the baby was dumped by somebody passing through.

“It’s more likely than not it came from Worcester although the needle in a haystack hypothesis is a good analogy “But we had a great deal of help from the public and chased numerous leads.

“And all along we kept an open mind about the circumstances, and our concerns for the welfare of the mum.

“The pathologist’s belief the baby was stillborn also puts a different light on it from our perspective.

“It meant the baby hadn’t been alive outside its mother.”

A burial will now be discussed with the coroner and Mr Todd said: “The circumstances of this case are very sad, and it’s important burial or cremation is carried out in a dignified way.”

Officers still want to talk to anyone who could shed light on the investigation and are urged to call 0300 333 3000 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.