A man and woman have been arrested on suspicion of the murder of a baby who was found strangled to death near a theme park 25 years ago.
The unidentified baby boy’s body was discovered in a bin bag by a dog walker in a woodland near Gulliver’s World in Warrington, Cheshire, on March 14, 1998.
A post mortem confirmed that he had been strangled and beaten around the head and was just hours old when he died.
The parents of the baby, who was eventually named Callum by officers after the Callands area of the town where he was discovered, were never found and his true identity remains a mystery.
Now, more than 25 years after the baby’s death, Cheshire Police confirmed two people, both from Liverpool, were arrested on suspicion of his murder in July this year. Both have since been released on conditional bail.
The coffin bearing the body of abandoned baby Callum found strangled shortly after his birth lies in St Elphin’s parish church. Police say a man and woman have now been arrested on suspicion of his murder
The unidentified baby boy’s body was discovered in a black bin bag by a dog walker in a woodland (pictured) near the theme park in Warrington, Cheshire, on March 14, 1998
A post mortem examination confirmed that he been strangled and beaten around the head and was just hours old when he died. He was later found dead in a wooded area (pictured) near Gulliver’s World Theme Park in Warrington
Detective Inspector Hannah Friend said: ‘I understand that this is an extremely emotional case which has attracted a lot of attention over the past 25 years, however I would ask people not to speculate.
‘Enquiries remain ongoing, and we will not be releasing further information at this time.’
The discovery sparked a massive police probe that saw thousands of people interviewed and a special hotline number set up for anyone offering information.
The DNA of nearly 500 women was tested during the police probe, including that of many schoolgirls, but these tests failed to find a match.
Thousands more people were interviewed to assist the investigation.
Four months after his body was discovered, Callum was laid to rest in a white coffin following a moving ceremony at St Elphin’s Church in the town.
Locals rallied to raise £888 to pay for a headstone that was used when he was buried at Warrington Cemetery.
It was inscribed: ‘Baby Callum, precious child of God. Laid to rest July 27, 1998. With love, from the people of Warrington.’
Four months after his tiny body was discovered, baby Callum was laid to rest in a tiny white coffin following a moving ceremony at St Elphin’s Church in the town
The funeral of baby Callum where more than 150 people – including the town’s mayor – paid their respects
The headstone that was used when Callum was buried at Warrington Cemetery in 1998
More than 150 people – including the town’s mayor – paid their respects before he was buried in a small grave, surrounded by flowers and children’s toys.
Schoolchildren placed handmade cards next to his coffin while Eric Clapton’s ‘Tears in Heaven’ played in the background.
A woman, described as ‘upset and emotional’ called and claimed to be the baby’s mother – but she was never traced and her identity remains unknown.
A distressed girl in a beige coat spotted in the area at the time was also never found.
Detective Chief Inspector John Hester, who led the investigation, once described the case as ‘one of the most disturbing’ of his career.
He said at the time: ‘He was a small, defenceless baby who didn’t really have a chance of survival.’
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