Dumped baby in Bradford was less than two weeks old

Officers from the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team are seriously concerned for the welfare of the mother of the child whose body was found by staff among rubbish they were sorting at the waste management site in Canal Road, Bradford, at about 10.30pm on Wednesday.

Detective Superintendent Mark Ridley, of West Yorkshire Police Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, said: “A post mortem examination has been conducted and I am now in a position to confirm that the body is that of a baby boy of between 34 to 36 weeks gestation, who is likely to have died in the last two weeks.

“Although we have not yet been able to confirm an exact cause of death or whether or not the child was born alive, we have been able to establish that he did have a congenital heart defect and there are no signs that he suffered any injuries before he died.

“The mother of this little baby boy has been through a terribly traumatic experience and my main and overriding concern is for both her physical and psychological welfare.

“It is vitally important that she seeks medical attention and I would appeal to her to do that as soon as possible.”

Enquiries have shown that the waste in which the child was found has come from premises within West Yorkshire and officers are working closely with local authorities to identify the streets where the rubbish may have come from.

Det Supt Ridley added: “It is possible that the mother of this child has confided in a friend, or someone may know who the mother of this child is. If that is the case, I would appeal to those people to encourage and assist the mother of this baby boy to seek the medical assistance she needs.”

Anyone with any information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team via the non-emergency number 101 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Information can also be sent via text to 07786 200805 – start your message with the word “baby”.