This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-44950428
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Rochdale woodland baby death: Two held in murder investigation | Rochdale woodland baby death: Two held in murder investigation |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| A man and a woman have been arrested on suspicion of murder after the body of a baby girl was found on woodland. | A man and a woman have been arrested on suspicion of murder after the body of a baby girl was found on woodland. |
| The newborn, named Pearl by Greater Manchester Police (GMP), was found by a dog walker near Peel Lane at a beauty spot in Heywood, Rochdale on 4 April. | |
| Police said a 48-year-old man and a 33-year-old woman, both from the Rochdale area, had been held for questioning. | Police said a 48-year-old man and a 33-year-old woman, both from the Rochdale area, had been held for questioning. |
| The pair have also been arrested on suspicion of concealing a birth and for allegedly preventing a lawful burial. | The pair have also been arrested on suspicion of concealing a birth and for allegedly preventing a lawful burial. |
| Officers have been carrying out extensive inquiries, including DNA analysis and drafting in a behavioural psychologist, to piece together what had happened. | Officers have been carrying out extensive inquiries, including DNA analysis and drafting in a behavioural psychologist, to piece together what had happened. |
| Detectives are searching premises in George Street, Heywood. | Detectives are searching premises in George Street, Heywood. |
| The Press Association reported that its sources had confirmed that the suspects, who remain in custody for questioning, were the child's parents. | The Press Association reported that its sources had confirmed that the suspects, who remain in custody for questioning, were the child's parents. |
| GMP refused to confirm their identity. | GMP refused to confirm their identity. |
| 'Incredibly heartbreaking' | 'Incredibly heartbreaking' |
| Forensic examinations determined that the girl had been born with a congenital defect that resulted in her missing two ribs. She was probably newborn and likely to be Caucasian, although mixed heritage could not be ruled out. | Forensic examinations determined that the girl had been born with a congenital defect that resulted in her missing two ribs. She was probably newborn and likely to be Caucasian, although mixed heritage could not be ruled out. |
| The girl was found abandoned, unclothed, and with neither a blanket nor a nappy. | The girl was found abandoned, unclothed, and with neither a blanket nor a nappy. |
| Senior Investigating Officer Det Supt Lewis Hughes said: "This continues to be an incredibly heartbreaking case for everyone involved - from the detectives working painstaking hours to find those responsible to members of the public that have felt the loss of Pearl. | Senior Investigating Officer Det Supt Lewis Hughes said: "This continues to be an incredibly heartbreaking case for everyone involved - from the detectives working painstaking hours to find those responsible to members of the public that have felt the loss of Pearl. |
| "While we have two people in custody, our investigation is still very much ongoing and I would continue to urge anyone with even the smallest piece of information - no matter how insignificant it may seem - to please get in touch. | "While we have two people in custody, our investigation is still very much ongoing and I would continue to urge anyone with even the smallest piece of information - no matter how insignificant it may seem - to please get in touch. |
| "We're committed to finding the truth for this little girl and truly believe the public could hold the key to this tragic case." | "We're committed to finding the truth for this little girl and truly believe the public could hold the key to this tragic case." |
| A permanent memorial is to be created in tribute to the baby following a campaign from a group of local mothers who said they did not want her to be forgotten. | A permanent memorial is to be created in tribute to the baby following a campaign from a group of local mothers who said they did not want her to be forgotten. |
| Rochdale Council has approved plans for a bench with a plaque bearing Pearl's name on a bridge near Peel Lane. | Rochdale Council has approved plans for a bench with a plaque bearing Pearl's name on a bridge near Peel Lane. |