• The boy, around a month old, was abandoned on the banks of a stream last October
  • His body wrapped in an Asda fleece was discovered by a dog walker in a remote rural area of Kirkham, Lancs
  • Despite a major public appeal for information the mother was never traced

By Jill Reilly

PUBLISHED: 09:16 EST, 14 June 2012 | UPDATED: 09:37 EST, 14 June 2012


A funeral has been held for a baby boy whose body was found dumped in a ditch and whose identify still remains unknown. 

The boy, around a month old, was born full term but was abandoned on the banks of a stream last October.

His body, wrapped in an Asda fleece, was discovered by a dog walker in a remote rural area of Kirkham, Lancs.

Tragic: The boy no more than a month old was born full term but was abandoned on the banks of a stream last October

Tragic: The coffin was carried into the church by a funeral director whilst floral wreaths and teddy bears were laid at the church paying tribute to the 'llittle angel' and saying 'Be at peace sweet child'

Tributes: The boy no more than a month old was born full term but was abandoned on the banks of a stream last October

Tributes: The boy no more than a month old was born full term but was abandoned on the banks of a stream last October

Officers believe the body could have been in the stream for between two and four weeks but despite a major public appeal for information the mother was never traced.

A man of 35 was arrested on suspicion of murder after claiming he had been involved in the death of the infant but was released without charge after officers concluded he had nothing to do with the tragedy.

Last night a 5pm burial service was held for the unnamed youngster at St Michael’s Parish Church, Kirkham after locals clubbed together to pay for the ceremony.

Grief: All members of the community were invited to the funeral. The order of service entitled Funeral Service for a baby boy was headed by the words: 'celebrate life'

Grief: All members of the community were invited to the funeral. The order of service entitled 'Funeral Service for a baby boy' was headed by the words: 'celebrate life'

The small blue coffin was carried into the church by a funeral director whilst floral wreaths and teddy bears were laid at the church paying tribute to the 'llittle angel’ and saying: ’Be at peace sweet child.’

The order of service entitled ‘Funeral Service for a baby boy’ was headed by the words: 'celebrate life.’

Lancashire Police are still desperately searching for the family of the boy.

A Blackpool Council bin bag was found nearby with two towels, one green and one with a Union Flag motif.

Officers released an image of an Asda fleece the baby was wrapped in, in the hope it would be recognised by somebody who would come forward.

Touching: Tributes were left by shocked members of the community - Lancashire Police are still desperately searching for the family of the boy

Touching: Tributes were left by shocked members of the community - Lancashire Police are still desperately searching for the family of the boy

Even his ethnicity remains unknown, although DNA and forensic tests continue.

Det Chief Insp Andrea Barrow who is leading the inquiry lit a candle during the service in memory of Baby Boy - as he will remain known until formally identified.

Baby Boy will also be engraved on his headstone donated by a local undertakers firm.

BBC’s Crimewatch which featured an appeal to trace the boy’s family sent flowers.

DCI Barrow said: 'Some cases get to you, and this is one. But we will never give up hope of learning how the little boy came to be placed in this remote area.

It was so far off the beaten track, it could have only been known to someone familiar with the locality.

'It wasn’t the kind of area you discover by chance. Whoever did this will remember it every day of their lives. It will be immensely traumatic.

Mystery: Even his ethnicity remains unknown, although DNA and forensic tests continue

Mystery: Even his ethnicity remains unknown, although DNA and forensic tests continue

That’s why it’s important they get help too, tell us what happened. Initially, we thought he had been there far longer, but an expert told us no more than a number of days. Because of the weather and the condition, the timescale reduced.'

'We don’t know whether he ever lived after birth. We don’t know the cause of death. We don’t want to speculate.

'This is still a live investigation. Someone out there knows what happened. We have spoken to new mums, we’ve looked at workers coming in, spoken to schools - as kids often notice things adults don’t, we have done countless appeals.

'It could be that someone has concealed they were pregnant and there’s a possibility the person is not from the area but we think someone in the locality knows something, or noticed something. It is not too late to talk to us.

'We’ve still got a team working on this case. If it takes a long time we will carry on. We are committed to finding out what happened.'

She added: 'The people of Kirkham have clearly been deeply moved by what has happened and I would like to thank them for pulling together in the face of this tragedy to raise money and offer their services so that this little boy can be put to rest.

'This remains very much an ongoing investigation and I believe that the answers are out there somewhere. We will not rest and leave no stone unturned until we get to the bottom of exactly what has happened.'

Detectives have posted a Facebook advert which has attracted over 1,900 views and a YouTube video appeal which has reached over 2,500 people - all in a bid to try to trace the mother of the baby boy.

Three local headteachers read a psalm during the service and a detective did a Gospel reading.

Rev Richard Bunday Vicar of Kirkham, said: 'The funeral service provides us with an opportunity to pause, reflect and consider the precious gift of human life and all the potential it has to flourish.

'This potential was not given to the baby boy and so we mourn his passing, but remind ourselves he is held by God and enfolded in his love.'