Published by Robert L Senior Reporter on Thursday 6th March 2025, at 21:35hrs
Joanne Sharkey, 55, has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of her newborn son, whose body was found discarded in bin bags in Warrington nearly three decades ago.
The baby, named ‘Baby Callum’ by investigators, was discovered in a wooded area in the Callands district on March 14, 1998.
Sharkey, of Denham Close, Liverpool, admitted to causing the death of her son on the grounds of diminished responsibility and endeavouring to conceal his birth at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday, March 6, 2025.
She is scheduled to be sentenced on Friday, March 21.
The tragic discovery was made when a local man walking his dog with his son found the baby’s body concealed in two knotted bin bags in a wooded area off Camp Road, near Gulliver’s World.
A paediatrician present at Gulliver’s World confirmed the baby was deceased, and he was pronounced dead at 11:25 am.
A subsequent post-mortem examination prompted Cheshire Constabulary to launch a murder investigation.
DNA samples taken from the baby and blood found on the bin bags identified the mother’s DNA, but an initial search of the police database yielded no matches. A partial DNA profile of the father was also obtained, but similarly, no match was found.
Despite extensive efforts, including DNA swabs from local residents, house-to-house inquiries, and appeals to hospitals, midwife services, and schools, the baby’s parents remained unidentified for many years.
The case remained a ‘cold case’ for Cheshire Constabulary, subject to regular reviews and updated DNA analysis as technology advanced. A breakthrough came in January 2022 during a review by the Major Crime Review Team.
Further DNA analysis identified a familial link between the baby and an individual whose DNA had been added to the police database in recent years. This led to the identification of Joanne Sharkey and the baby’s father.
Both were arrested on suspicion of murder on July 28, 2023. DNA samples confirmed their parentage. The father was later released without charge, as investigations determined he was unaware of the pregnancy, birth, or death.
Sharkey was charged with murder and concealing the birth of a child on April 15, 2024. The investigation revealed that she had concealed her pregnancy, given birth at home, and caused the baby’s death shortly after.
Wads of tissue were found in the baby’s mouth and throat. She then placed the body in bin bags and disposed of it in Warrington.
The prosecution accepted her guilty plea to manslaughter based on psychiatric evidence.
Detective Inspector Hannah Friend expressed the community’s enduring concern for Baby Callum.
“The case of Baby Callum shocked the local community 27 years ago, with residents coming together to give him a proper funeral and try to help identify the person responsible for his death,” she said.
“Despite his life being cruelly cut short, he has not been forgotten, and his memory has lived on in the local area for the past few decades.”
DI Friend credited the breakthrough to advances in DNA technology and the relentless efforts of the investigation team.
“While this guilty plea today will bring some closure to what has been a lengthy and complex investigation, ongoing for almost 30 years, the result will not bring back Baby Callum who should have had his whole life ahead of him,” she added. “Our thoughts remain with everyone affected by this case.”
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