Durham Police are investigating the death of a baby whose body was discovered at a house in Fore Bondgate, Bishop Auckland last month. The full-term skeleton of the child was found wrapped in a newspaper believed to date back to 1910. Twine was found around the baby’s neck, and authorities suggest the suspicious death occurred over 100 years ago.
Detective Chief Inspector Mel Sutherland expressed difficulty in investigating the century-old circumstances of the case. However, authorities have a duty to the baby and continue to try to find records for the property between 1900 and 1920 to learn more about the time period. The property dates back to the Victorian era and was once home to a mother and baby unit run by the church, although it is believed the baby was concealed before that time.
Tests show that the baby was full-term when it died at 40 weeks, and authorities plan on additional forensic testing, including carbon dating, to confirm initial findings. Police are focused on determining the identity of the baby, as well as how and why it ended up underneath the floorboards of the house.
Detective Chief Inspector Sutherland vowed to give the unnamed baby an appropriate and dignified funeral when authorities complete their investigation. Anyone with information concerning the property is asked to come forward and contact the police.
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