Published: 11/03/2010 09:52 -
Updated: 11/03/2010 10:11
NEWSLETTER readers could hold the clue to the identity of a woman who left her newborn baby at a mosque hours before he died - wrapped in pages of the newspaper.
Police say the pages from the January 21 edition are a significant piece of evidence in tracing the mother of the boy, who was discovered at the Islamic Centre in Shelton, Stoke-on-Trent, on Saturday morning.
The baby was also wrapped in a carrier bag and two items of clothing and the bundle included two £10 notes and a letter which said “Please help bury him”, with an Arabic word for thank-you.
But the youngster was still alive and was taken to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire. Sadly he was declared dead at 12.30pm.
Police are desperately trying to trace the mother as they fear she may need help.
And officers are urging Newsletter readers to provide information.
The baby boy was wrapped in the motoring pages, which could also provide a vital clue.
Police spokeswoman Faye Casey said: “This is a significant piece of evidence and is a key line of inquiry. It forms part of our ongoing investigation.
“We would urge any Newsletter readers or any members of the public who have any information which they think could help to contact us.” A Home Office post-mortem on Monday failed to establish the cause of death of the baby. Further tests are being carried out.
A team of detectives is studying CCTV footage, making door-to-door inquiries and issuing leaflets in the community.
The Independent Police Complains Commission has launched an investigation to examine the initial response to the incident.
The baby was discovered at around 10.40am but it was 11.30am before he was taken to hospital.
Staffordshire Police referred the case to the IPCC on Saturday and following scene assessments the commission decided to independently investigate the actions of police in their response to the initial calls.
IPCC Commissioner Rachel Cerfontyne said: “The death of any baby is a tragedy, and this case is deeply saddening. It is important that the IPCC independently investigates the initial response by Staffordshire Police to ascertain the actions taken by police to ensure that all correct procedures were followed.”
Police say the pages from the January 21 edition are a significant piece of evidence in tracing the mother of the boy, who was discovered at the Islamic Centre in Shelton, Stoke-on-Trent, on Saturday morning.
The baby was also wrapped in a carrier bag and two items of clothing and the bundle included two £10 notes and a letter which said “Please help bury him”, with an Arabic word for thank-you.
But the youngster was still alive and was taken to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire. Sadly he was declared dead at 12.30pm.
Police are desperately trying to trace the mother as they fear she may need help.
And officers are urging Newsletter readers to provide information.
The baby boy was wrapped in the motoring pages, which could also provide a vital clue.
Police spokeswoman Faye Casey said: “This is a significant piece of evidence and is a key line of inquiry. It forms part of our ongoing investigation.
“We would urge any Newsletter readers or any members of the public who have any information which they think could help to contact us.” A Home Office post-mortem on Monday failed to establish the cause of death of the baby. Further tests are being carried out.
A team of detectives is studying CCTV footage, making door-to-door inquiries and issuing leaflets in the community.
The Independent Police Complains Commission has launched an investigation to examine the initial response to the incident.
The baby was discovered at around 10.40am but it was 11.30am before he was taken to hospital.
Staffordshire Police referred the case to the IPCC on Saturday and following scene assessments the commission decided to independently investigate the actions of police in their response to the initial calls.
IPCC Commissioner Rachel Cerfontyne said: “The death of any baby is a tragedy, and this case is deeply saddening. It is important that the IPCC independently investigates the initial response by Staffordshire Police to ascertain the actions taken by police to ensure that all correct procedures were followed.”
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