Body of newborn found wrapped in plastic and dumped in wheely bin in Wesham

A newborn baby was wrapped in a plastic bag and dumped in a bin behind a house in Wesham.
WeshamWesham
Wesham

The body of a one-day-old baby boy was found by a police officer on August 9 2018.

An investigation into the death was opened at Blackpool town hall today and was attended by the newborn's grandparents.

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Coroner Andrew Cousins said: "The body had been wrapped in an assortment of clothes which had been wrapped in a bin bag and then placed in a wheely bin at the rear of the property."

The court heard that the infant had been alive when he was born, as his body was examined by several doctors who found his airways open and oxygen in his lungs.

A witness, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, also reported hearing a baby crying in the house on the day his body was found.

Mr Cousins said: "I find on the balance of probability that the crying sound heard by the witness was the sound of (the baby). I am satisfied that when (the baby) was born he was alive prior to his death.

"The cause of his death is not known at this time."

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He added: "I'm very conscious that by the nature of these circumstances these events are distressing and highly emotional. I do not intend to draw this out, but I must balance this with my duty as a coroner to conduct a full, impartial investigation."

An interim anonymity order was made preventing the identification of the baby's mother, however, Mr Cousins said this order could be lifted at a later date.

A three-day inquest was opened for a date to be arranged. Evidence will be heard from police, medical experts and witnesses.

Lancashire police said nobody was arrested or charged in connection with the baby's death, and no further action was taken following a consultation with CPS.