Cops issue update on tragic tot found dead in snowy field as parent hunt continues

Police and forensic officers at the scene.
-Credit: (Image: Reach PLC.)


Police are still on the hunt for the mother of an infant who was found dead in a snowy field earlier this week. The youngster was discovered by a dog walker.

The gender of the child was not revealed as the investigation got underway, and officers issued an update on the probe today.

The statement said: "This week, we have discovered the remains of a baby near to the layby off Cleggs Lane, by Ashtons Field in Little Hulton.

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"Our investigation is in the early stages and we do not know the background or circumstances that have led to this baby being separated from the mum.

The area was cordoned off as police investigated.
The area was cordoned off as police investigated. -Credit:Reach PLC.

"We don’t know the pressures the mum might have been under before she gave birth or in the time afterwards, but our priority is to find answers, and to make sure the mum is safe.

"We know that this baby’s mum is somewhere out there, potentially watching this, and we would appeal for anyone who may know the mum or had their suspicions about her pregnancy to come forward so we can find her and speak to her.

"We will do everything we can to help the mum. Trained officers are ready to support her, no matter what the circumstances are, please contact us."

The youngster, known only as baby A, was found by a dog walker on Ravenscraig Road, near Ashtons Field in Little Hulton, in Salford, Greater Manchester at around 1pm on Wednesday.

The Mirror reports Greater Manchester Police said they are "working with local partner agencies to understand who this baby could be, how long they have been here, and how they have sadly died."

A post mortem is expected to take place in the coming days. A resident who lives close to the area said they "felt sick" when they heard about the incident. The unnamed person said the area is not safe as there are no cameras in operation.

She told Manchester Evening News: "They need to do something anyway, it's not safe, there's no cameras. Anyone can access it anytime they like.

"They need to do something, I've always said something was gonna end up here and it was going to be really serious." After the remains were found, police started looking for the parents and appealed for information to help with their investigation.

Police have urged the parents to come forward.
Police have urged the parents to come forward. -Credit:Reach PLC.

Greater Manchester Police said in an earlier statement: "Tragically, today, we have found what we believe to be the remains of a young baby on Ravenscraig Road, near Ashtons Field in Little Hulton.

"We have a scene in place, and you will likely see an increased presence of officers in the local area while we carry out enquiries to understand the circumstances.

"At this stage, we are following several lines of enquiry, and we are working with local partner agencies to understand who this baby could be, how long they have been here, and how they have sadly died.

"We are now calling this baby, Baby A. All of this is extremely sensitive, and this investigation needs to be handled with the utmost care it deserves, and it is going to take time.

"We know that this news will devastate our communities, and while we do not have all the answers to these questions yet, I want to reassure residents that we will do all we can to find out what has happened here.

"The most important thing for us right now is to find answers for this baby and I would urge anyone who has any information at all to get in touch with us.

"Even the most minor detail could be crucial to our investigation. If you have seen anyone in the area over the last few days, or know who the parents could be, please call us as soon as you can.

"As soon as we are in a position to confirm further details about the circumstances, we will do so. Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting log 1319 of 20/11/24." Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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