Police continue investigation after newborn baby was found dead in a field

Police are continuing their investigation after a newborn baby was found dead in a field and are appealing for the mother to come forward.

The baby was found in in Heywood, Rochdale in Greater Manchester by a member of the public on Wednesday.

Heartbreaking pictures emerged of officers carrying a Moses basket preparing to collect the body shortly afterwards. 

 

Officers are seen walking across grass with the small carry cot near to where the infant was found in Heywood, Rochdale, Greater Manchester

Forensics teams, sniffer dogs and officers in mountaineering gear also attended the scene, witnesses said.

A Home Office Post Mortem is due to take place this morning. 

Detective Inspector Phil Key of GMP’s Rochdale borough, said: ‘This is a very upsetting case and we have a number of officers working to understand how long the baby was there and how it sadly died.

A baby basket was seen being carried away from the wooded area in a field in Heywood, Rochdale

A baby basket was seen being carried away from the wooded area in a field in Heywood, Rochdale

A police cordon around the area in a field in Heywood where the body of the newborn baby was found

A police cordon around the area in a field in Heywood where the body of the newborn baby was found

‘We do not have the answers to these questions yet, but I would like to reassure residents that we will do all we can to find out what happened to this baby.

‘If anyone has information please get in touch, because even the most minor detail could prove vital to this investigation.

‘We are concerned for the welfare of the mother, so if you saw someone in the area, or know something about who the mother may be, call us as soon as you can.’

Police vehicles at the site this morning as they launched an investigation into the discovery

Police vehicles at the site this morning as they launched an investigation into the discovery

A large wooded area has been sealed off by police as their investigations continue 

A large wooded area has been sealed off by police as their investigations continue 

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0161 856 4810 quoting incident number 368 of 04/04/18. Reports can also be made anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

For guidance: The baby’s gender will not be available until after the Post Mortem has taken place

One resident said: ‘When I found it was a little baby, I thought it was awful. It knocked me sick.’ 

A map showing the location of the discovery, which was made at just after 7am this morning

A map showing the location of the discovery, which was made at just after 7am this morning

Detectives have been carrying out door-to-door enquiries in the area. Another resident described the area as tight-knit community. She said: ‘Everyone’s really shocked.’

A spokesman for the North West Ambulance Service confirmed they were called to the scene at 7.10am.

They sent an ambulance and a rapid response vehicle but didn’t take anyone to hospital. 



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