‘PARENTS’ ARRESTED OVER BABY PEARL DEATH
MAN AND WOMAN QUESTIONED ON SUSPICION OF MURDERING CHILD FOUND IN WOODS
A MAN and woman have been arrested on suspicion of the murder of a newborn girl who was found dead in woodland, it was revealed today.
The M.E.N. understands they are the baby’s parents.
Both were also held on suspicion of concealing a birth and preventing a lawful burial.
Police made the arrests yesterday morning after the body of the baby girl – named Pearl by detectives – was found on Wednesday, April 4, by a dog walker close to the River Roch, near the Back o’th’ Moss estate in Heywood. The man detained is 48 and the woman 33.
Both were taken into custody for questioning.
Announcing the development, a GMP spokesman said: “In the past three months officers have been following extensive inquiries including DNA analysis to find out exactly what happened to Pearl.
“Today, Wednesday 25 July 2018, a 48-year-old man and a 33-year-old woman, have been arrested on suspicion of murder, concealing a birth and preventing a lawful burial.
“They remain in custody for questioning and inquiries are ongoing.”
It hasn’t been revealed where the arrests were made.
Det Supt Lewis Hughes said: “This continues to be an incredibly heartbreaking case for everyone involved – from the detectives working painstaking hours to find those responsible to members of the public that have felt the loss of Pearl.
“While we have two people in custody, our investigation is still very much ongoing and I would continue to urge anyone with even the smallest piece of information – no matter how insignificant it may seem – to please get in touch.
“We’re committed to finding the truth for this little girl and truly believe the public could hold the key to this tragic case.”
Forensic officers investigating the death of baby Pearl yesterday combed the Britannia industrial estate, close to where her body was found. She was discovered by the dog walker at around 7am close to the site of an old rubbish tip near to the estate in Heywood. Detectives trying to solve mystery named her Pearl, which means ‘precious.’ They said the baby had a birth defect and two ribs missing, but could not say whether that contributed either to her death or her being left.
Ever since her discovery detectives working on the case have been checking her DNA against national police databases, a process which revealed thousands of potential matches.
They only included samples from people convicted of crimes, however, or those who have come into contact with the police.
Pearl is believed to be white, but ethnicity testing suggested there may have been mixed racial heritage in her family. Police have so far been unable to establish what colour hair or eyes Pearl had. Her umbilical cord was still attached, with signs it had been ‘severed roughly,’ police said.
A funeral hasn’t yet been held. No further information has been released.