Sniffer dogs help in baby death case
POLICE HUNT FOR CLUES ABOUT NEWBORN
POLICE sniffer dogs have been brought in as detectives continue to comb an area close to where the body of a newborn baby girl was found.
A 48-year-old man and a 33-year-old woman, understood to be the child’s parents, were arrested on suspicion of murder and released on bail.
The tot, named ‘Pearl’ by officers, was found in woodland in Heywood, between George Street and Peel Lane, close to an old tip site in the town, in April.
Police launched an investigation into her death, which has included DNA analysis to trace ‘Pearl’s’ family.
However, officers are continuing to comb an area just a few hundred yards away from where she was found.
A police cordon remains in place at the Britannia Industrial estate, just off George Street. Forensic officers in white suits are continuing to search an area in front of one unit.
Yesterday, the searching revolved around a caravan parked outside the unit, which was eventually towed away. And officers continued to search inside the gates of the compound, slowly combing their way through some bushes and grassland nearby.
A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: “Officers are currently searching a premises on George Street in Heywood in connection with an investigation into the discovery of a baby girl found at a woodland in Heywood.”
Following the discovery of the baby’s body by a dog walker, the investigation has established that the little girl was born with a congenital defect that resulted in her missing two ribs.
After the arrest of the man and woman, Det Supt Lewis Hughes, who is heading up the Major Incident Team investigation, 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.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0161 856 4810 or 07387 705 768 quoting incident number 368 of 04/04/18 or by calling independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.