Published by Robert L Senior Reporter on Wednesday 19th March 2025, at 15:00hrs
Lancashire Constabulary has launched a renewed appeal for information regarding the tragic death of a newborn baby boy, whose body was discovered in Spen Brook, Kirkham, over 13 years ago.
Despite extensive investigations and public appeals, including a feature on BBC’s Crimewatch, the baby’s mother remains unidentified.
The infant, found by a dog walker in Spen Brook off Carr Lane on October 1st, 2011, was dressed in a distinctive blue and white striped George ASDA fleece top.
The cause of death remains unascertained.
Detective Chief Inspector Bryony Midgley, of the Major Crime Review Team, emphasized the ongoing commitment to solving this deeply distressing case.
“This is a really sad case and one which has had a huge impact on the local community and beyond,” she stated.
“We are still committed to establishing who the baby’s mum is and the full circumstances that led to him being abandoned.”
Significant progress has been made in the investigation due to advancements in DNA technology.
“Thanks to advances in DNA technology we have made progress in this case, and we have managed to establish who the baby’s dad is,” DCI Midgley revealed.
“He has been co-operating and helping with our investigation, but we still don’t know who the mum is, and I would appeal to anyone with information to help us identify mum to come forward and speak to us.”
Investigators believe someone within the community possesses crucial information.
“We believe that there is someone out there now who knows what happened,” DCI Midgley said.
“You may not have felt confident to come forward before. Your circumstances or loyalties may have changed, but I would urge you to now come forward and speak to our officers who are ready to talk to you.”
The police are urging anyone who recalls any suspicious activity or possesses any information, no matter how seemingly insignificant, to come forward.
“Even the smallest piece of information could be pivotal to our investigation,” DCI Midgley stressed. “I appreciate this happened some time ago but please cast your minds back, perhaps you heard something, or saw something that didn’t feel right.
It may have seemed insignificant at the time, but knowing what you know now, please get in touch.
It could be crucial to finding the truth about what happened to this little baby boy.”
Lancashire Police are determined to provide answers and understand the circumstances surrounding the baby’s abandonment.
“This is something Lancashire Police won’t give up on. We have a responsibility to find out who mum was and understand that she might have been vulnerable,” DCI Midgley added. “We need your help to identify her.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact Lancashire Police on 101, quoting log 0273 of 19th March 2025.
Information can also be submitted via the Major Incident Public Portal:
https://mipp.police.uk/operation/0401020111A12-PO1.
Alternatively, individuals can remain anonymous by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
G2K INCIDENT WATCH 