Police give update following discovery of Baby A near M61 bridge

Police gave further updates at a press conference today following the death of Baby A.

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Police gave further updates at a press conference today following the death of Baby A, who was discovered this month. Archaeologists, anthropologists and soil experts are trying to ascertain information on how long the baby had been there and the force revealed that there was "fabric" around the baby. A post-mortem, which was set to take place this week, will now be "early next week" and the scene is expected to remain until late next week.

DCI Charlotte Whalley of the Major Incident Team said: “This week we discovered the remains of a baby near to the layby of Clegg’s Lane by Ashton’s Field in Little Hulton. GMP HQ (Image: Newsquest) “Our investigation is in the early stages and we do not know the background or circumstances that led to this baby being separated from her mum. “We don’t know the pressures the mum might have been under before she gave birth or in the time after, but our priority is to find answers to make sure that 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 anything we can to help her. Trained officers are ready to support her.

“No matter what the circumstances are, please contact us.” Read more: What we know so far about the death of 'Baby A' after remains found Read more: Police release update after tragic discovery of remains of baby In the briefing, she told the media that the investigation is “still ongoing” and that the Major Incident Team are investigating. DCI Charlotte Whalley (Image: Newsquest) DCI Whalley said: “The post-mortem will take place early next week and we are working with partners.

The main crux is to identify the mother. “We have had fantastic support through the community, there is quite a high level of emotion in the community. If you go to the scene, you will see all the flowers left there.

“People have been approaching us and giving us information. We are following all lines of enquiry.” DCI Whalley was asked about the gender and ethnicity of the child but said the post-mortem would hopefully provide those answers.

She added: “A dog walker found the baby on Wednesday. Police received the call at 12.22pm.

“She called a relative first out of shock but called us soon after.” Flowers at the scene (Image: Newsquest) DCI Whalley said: “We do believe there was some fabric on the baby, around the baby.” She added that there was “quite a bit of mud”, but clarified that police are not sure if the baby had been buried.

DCI Whalley added: “We are working with soil experts, anthropologists and archaeologists to establish how long the baby had been there.” Officers will be on scene until the “back end of next week” if anyone would like to approach them with information. There had previously been a question of whether the baby was found off Ravenscraig Road, as that was where the initial call came in from.

DCI Whalley confirmed that Baby A was found “off the layby” on Clegg’s Lane, where the cordon is. She added that the post-mortem is taking longer in part because it is a child’s one. Things that will be looked at include establishing if there were any “injuries to bones”.

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