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Newborn found dead in Bolton

Police are continuing to investigate the death of a newborn baby found in Bolton. The body was discovered in a country lane with a note asking for an Islamic burial. It's unknown whether the baby was alive when abandoned.

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Developments in baby body investigation

Police have revealed a newborn baby girl found dead in Bolton was wrapped in men's clothing.

A simple note was left with her body asking for the baby to be given an Islamic burial.

Detectives have named the baby Alia, until her parents can be found.

A week on, they say it's vital the mother comes forward so they can support her.

Fresh appeal to trace baby's mother

Police in Bolton have made a fresh appeal to trace the parents of a newborn baby girl found dead a week ago.

Detectives have named her Alia, which means beautiful.

Her body was found with a note, handwritten in English asking for her to receive an Islamic burial. Officers today laid flowers at the scene as they made an appeal for information.

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Police confirm baby body found in Bolton was a girl

Police have confirmed the newborn baby whose body was found in Bolton was a little girl.

The baby's body was discovered on Friday by walkers in Ox Hey Lane, Lostock, near the Reebok Stadium.

Officers also recovered a note that requested the baby receive an Islamic burial.

We can now confirm the baby was a little girl but there are still a number of questions that remain unanswered.

"Chief among these questions is the identity of the mother. Our priority remains to trace the mother who we imagine must be having an extremely distressing time.

“We are still very worried about the parents physical and emotional state."

– Chief Inspector Carol Martin, Greater Manchester Police

A post-mortem examination failed to determine the cause of death.

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Note requested 'Islamic burial' for baby found in Bolton

The body of a newborn baby in Bolton was left with a note requesting an Islamic burial.

Police say the age, sex or ethnicity of the baby is not known at this stage and it is unclear whether the baby was live or stillborn.

“While we cannot speculate on the ethnicity of either parent, there was a note left requesting the baby receive an Islamic burial and we have already reached out to the Muslim community through their Friday prayers through our partnership connections at the Bolton Council of Mosques.

“The answer undoubtedly lies somewhere in the community and I want to ask the Bolton community as a whole whether they know of anyone who may have tried to conceal a birth or who recently have been pregnant but now is without a baby or appears withdrawn, upset or in physical discomfort."

– Chief Inspector Carol Martin

Police statement on newborn baby found dead in Bolton

"We do not know with any certainty how long the baby has been there or how it has died and while I understand there will be concern in the community I want to reassure residents that we will be working hard to answer these questions.

"If anyone has any information whatsoever, regardless of how insignificant you think it might be, please get in touch.

"We are obviously deeply concerned for the welfare of the mother and if anyone has seen someone in the area or has any information about who you think the mother might be please call us."

– Superintendent Steve Nibloe, Greater Manchester Police
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