Baby

The body of a newly-born child was found on the Meadows near Meadow Lane, Chester.

The police went to the Meadows after a woman told them that a baby had been found there, and found the body close to a ditch towards the bottom end of Meadows Lane. There was nothing covering the child, and nothing nearby that might have been used to cover it.

The body was in an advanced state of decomposition and it was thought that it had been in the grass for some time.

It was noted that the body was found close to a well-used footpath and could have been seen by people at any time, and that many people must have previously passed the spot.

The body was huddled up and was dark brown in colour, which was said could have been a reason why it was not reported earlier.

The pathologist said that there was nothing to indicate the child’s age or sex and said that he thought that the child had been dead for weeks. However, the doctor said that he thought that the child might have been still-born.

A verdict that the cause of death was unascertainable owing to decomposition was returned.