Shropshire Star

Police appeal for help in search for mother of baby found dead in woods

Police, who named the newborn Pearl, have not been able to locate the parents more than three weeks after she was found.

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Police at the scene in Roch Valley Woods in Heywood, Greater Manchester, after the body of a newborn baby was found (Pat Hurst/PA)

Police are continuing to search for the mother of a baby discovered dead in woodland.

The naked body of the baby girl, named Pearl by officers, was found by a dog walker at around 7.10am on Wednesday April 4 in an area known locally as Bluebell Forest, part of Roch Valley Woods in Heywood, Greater Manchester.

Forensic analysis has shown the baby was probably newborn and likely to be Caucasian, although mixed heritage cannot be ruled out.

But, despite efforts by detectives, supported by a behavioural psychologist, including searches on the national DNA database, the baby’s parents have still not been identified.

Detective Chief Inspector Lewis Hughes, of Greater Manchester Police’s Major Incident Team, said: “I know how heart-breaking this case is for everyone involved from emergency services to members of the public and we all want to get to the bottom of what happened to Pearl.

“There have been some unhelpful headlines that circulated over the weekend and we feel it is important to update the public accurately.

“We will continue to update you with the facts of our investigation but I would ask people to not speculate, especially considering the distressing details of this case, and continue to urge anyone with any information to please get in touch.

“Any piece of information, no matter how big or small, could prove vital to this investigation and I implore you to contact police.

“A baby girl was left in the woods and we need to find out how she came to be there.”

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