Newborn baby found dead in a garden in Weston-super-Mare ‘must have been dumped by someone who climbed over the wall’, say neighbours – as police ‘locate mother’
- Body of a newborn baby boy was found in garden in Somerset on Saturday
- Police are continuing their desperate appeal to track down the baby’s mother
- Resident said the only way to access garden is through properties or a gate
- As the gate was padlocked, the person must have climbed over some brickwork
A newborn baby who was found dead in a garden in Weston-super-Mare was ‘dumped’ by someone who climbed over a brick wall by the side of a gate.
A horrified member of the public found the body of a infant boy in a private garden on Victoria Quadrant, Somerset on Saturday.
Police are continuing their desperate appeal to track down the baby’s mother and they remain ‘extremely concerned’ for her welfare.
A resident of one of the flats with access to the large walled-off garden said the only way to get to the area is through one of two properties – or via a padlocked gate.
The unnamed local woman – who is in her 20s – said the person who left the baby there must have climbed over some brickwork on the side of the gate.
She told The Sun: ‘They’d have had to climb over a wall to get into the garden because that’s the only way in, other than through mine or my neighbour’s flats.’
She added: ‘It certainly isn’t my neighbour’s baby because she hasn’t got one and I haven’t seen anyone pregnant around here for 18 months. It is a complete mystery.’
Police pictured at the scene on Victoria Quadrant in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, where a newborn baby was found dead as the force launches an urgent search for the mother
A police officer stands next to a cordoned-off area of the street in Somerset. Avon and Somerset Constabulary said officers were called at 8.50am on Saturday
Avon and Somerset Constabulary is treating the baby’s death as unexplained at this time and is ‘extremely concerned’ for the mother’s welfare, asking anyone with information to come forward.
Detective chief inspector Mike Buck said: ‘This is a very sad and distressing incident.
‘Have you suspected somebody you know is heavily pregnant, but may not have been willing to disclose this? That person might have a connection with Victoria Quadrant? Their behaviour might have changed in the last 24 hours?
‘You can contact us in complete confidence. Our priority right now is to find the mother of this child and support her, so please do the right thing.’
Amanda Braund, of North Somerset Children’s Services, said: ‘I want to make a direct appeal to the mother.
The street (pictured). Police said the baby’s death is being treated as unexplained at this time and is ‘extremely concerned’ for the mother’s welfare
‘I can’t imagine what you’re going through but we want to help you. We have specially trained professionals who can support you and make sure you get the medical attention you need.
‘Please get in touch with the police by calling 999 or your nearest hospital.’
Anyone who could help police find the mother is asked to call 999, while those with any other information should call 101, quoting reference number 5220278654.