Fresh twist in mystery death of baby boy in brook as cops track down dad 13 years later – but hunt for mum continues
DETECTIVES believe they are a step closer to solving the 13-year mystery of a dead baby boy found in a brook.
Police have now traced the father of the newborn found by a dog walker in Spen Brook, a stream winding through a farmer’s fields, near Kirkham in rural Lancashire in October 2011.
He was traced through a DNA familial link, cold case investigator Detective Chief Inspector Bryony Midgley of Lancashire Police told reporters on Wednesday at the scene of the grim discovery more than a decade ago.
The father, originally from Manchester, was in his 20s and living in Blackpool at the time.
He is not a suspect and is helping police with their inquiries.
One theory is the child could have been the result of a casual fling.
The cause of death of the full-term baby remains unexplained.
When he was found, the baby boy was dressed in a blue and white striped George ASDA fleece top with a zip on the front.
As well as the fleece, officers found two towels, one green and one with a Union Jack pattern, at the scene.
Despite numerous appeals, including on the BBC‘s Crimewatch, the baby’s mum has never been found.
DCI Midgley said: “Today I am renewing our appeal for information in the hope we can solve the mystery of the tragic death of a newborn baby boy more than 13 years ago.
“His body was sadly found in Spen Brook here in Kirkham on Saturday October 1, 2011.
“A thorough investigation was carried out but unfortunately his parents were never identified.
“We are now re-investigating his death. This is such a sad case and it had a huge impact on the community here in Kirkham.
“A major part of our investigation is trying to find out who the baby boy’s mum is.
“We ask for anyone who has any information which could help us find the mum, however small that piece of information might be, to come forward and speak to us.
“We believe somebody knows who she is and what happened back in 2011.
“You might not have wanted to come forward back then but with the passage of time it will feel right to do so now.
“Our specially trained officers will be there to support you.
“We have made progress as the baby boy’s dad has now been traced thanks to advances in DNA technology.
“The dad, who lived in Blackpool, has been assisting with this investigation, but we have still so far been unable to identify baby’s mum.
“These scientific developments should also help us to confirm who his mum is.”
Locals in nearby villages raised funds paying for the child’s gravestone and burial at St Michael’s Church in Kirkham in 2011.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.