1. 10 updates

Dead baby's parents funeral plea

The parents of a newborn baby girl found dead in a lane in Bolton two months ago are being urged to come forward to help plan her funeral.

Live updates

  1. Granada

Dead baby's parents urged: 'Don't miss funeral'

Greater Manchester Police is urging the parents of the baby that was found on Ox Hey Lane, Lostock, on Thursday 14 March, to come forward. It is expected that representatives from the Bolton Council of Mosques will begin planning the funeral today, which is expected to take place on Tuesday.

The baby was born alive and lived independently for up to two hours; however officers are still trying to find out what happened and who the parents are.

We would be really keen to give the baby a name that means something to the parents.

I am grateful to members of the local community who have offered to cover the funeral costs.

I would very much like for the parents to be involved with the preparations for the funeral of their child.

If you think you can come forward...we will try and get you the help and support that you need.

– Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Jackson

It has been requested that this baby be given an Islamic burial and we will be ensuring this is done.

We want to appeal for help from all communities to come forward and put an end to this investigation.

There is help available to Alia's family and the grieving process could be easier for you if you come forward and use the help that is available.

You may not get another opportunity and we don't want you to end up regretting this for the rest of your life.

– Bolton Council of Mosques (BCOM)

Police appeal to newborn baby girl's parents

Police are appealing to the parents of a newborn girl, whose body was found a week ago.

Last Thursday afternoon, officers were called to Ox Hey Lane in Lostock, Bolton after the baby was discovered.

Wrapped in clothing and plastic bags, a note was attached to the girl's body requesting she had an Islamic burial.

Given the name Alia by police, her cause of death remains uncertain, as does Alia's age and ethnicity.

Officers will be manning a mobile police station on Ox Hey Lane today from 7am to 7pm, Chief Inspector Carol Martin, said, "I would encourage either parent to pick up the phone."

Advertisement

  1. Granada

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.

Police 'worried for physical and emotional state' of parents

A chief inspector at Greater Manchester Police has appealed for information to locate the parents of the newborn baby found dead on a lane in Bolton.

Carol Martin said:

I cannot begin to imagine what either parent may be going through and we are very worried about their physical and emotional state.

It is likely the mother in particular will require some form of medical attention and I want to appeal directly to both parents or anyone who knows them to contact police or visit your GP or local hospital.

It is vitally important that I stress support networks are in place and are waiting and on hand to help the parents.

– Chief Inspector Carol Martin, Greater Manchester Police

Appeal to Muslim community over baby's body

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.

– Greater Manchester Police

Advertisement

Police unclear how baby found on lane died

The body of a baby was found on Ox Hey Lane, Lostock, Bolton. Credit: Google Maps

Superintendent Steve Nibloe said: "This is clearly a very upsetting incident and we already have a number of officers dealing with this at the scene and making other enquiries.

"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."

Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101.

Back to top