THE mystery of Baby Ava remains unsolved one month after the newborn’s body was found near a motorway bridge – but cops insist all hope is not lost.
The mum of the unidentified girl known as Baby Ava, who was discovered by a dog walker in a snowy field near the M61 in Salford, is still unknown.
But officers are still determined to find out who she is and how she and her baby became separated, say Greater Manchester Police.
They are also hoping to extract DNA information from a piece of pink fabric thought to have been used to wrap around the baby – which could lead to the identity of a family member.
Concern remains for the welfare of the child’s mum who may be in a distressed state following the trauma which led her to leave Baby Ava just off the main road.
The cause of death remains “unascertained” as the results of further tests are awaited, the force added.
In an update issued today, Detective Chief Inspector Charlotte Whalley said: “We are still committed to establishing who Ava’s mum is and the full circumstances that led to her and Ava being separated.
“Our determination to get answers for Ava is unrelenting and will continue throughout the festive period and beyond.
“We ask anyone who may have information which could help us, no matter how small, to come forward to us, as this may provide the key to unlocking the investigation.”
In the wake of the horrifying discovery, locals laid down floral tributes and soft toys, including stuffed teddy bears and snowmen, for the tragic tot.
DCI Whalley added that the force had distributed these gifts to charities and care homes in the area.
She said: “The tributes to Baby Ava have now made their way to their forever homes, and we would like to thank the community who have come together and shown immense support for her and our officers who are investigating this case.”
Meanwhile, a botanist is working with police, examining soil where Ava was found.
Although the remains were found on the surface, work is ongoing to establish if at some point they were buried and, crucially, how long they had been there.
Anthropologists and archaeologists are also assisting the inquiry.
And, Greater Manchester Police has consulted with a behavioural psychologist, who has suggested that the mother may be local and had knowledge of the location where the child was left.
As a result police have concentrated on the two local communities of Little Hulton and Farnworth which lie either side of a bridge over the M61 on Cleggs Lane, close to where Ava was found.
Experts are also trying to establish Ava’s ethnicity and age – but it is believed she was weeks rather than days old.
Baby Ava was discovered by Ashtons Field, Greater Manchester, on November 21.
Emergency crews swooped on Ravenscraig Road, which is surrounded by industrial buildings, and cordoned off the area.
At the time, officers said they did not know the sex, age, or ethnicity of Baby A.
Chf Supt Neil Blackwood said at the time: “Tragically, today, we have found what we believe to be the remains of a young baby on Ravenscraig Road in Salford.
“We have a scene in place, and you will likely see an increased presence of officers in the local area while we carry out enquiries to understand the circumstances.
“All of this is extremely sensitive, and this investigation needs to be handled with the utmost care it deserves, and it is going to take time.”
In a later update, DCI Whalley said: “We know that this case has touched the hearts of many people across Greater Manchester, and like you, we’re determined to find out what happened to this little girl.
“As part of our enquiries, we’re working to establish who Ava’s mum is, and all the possible scenarios and circumstances which have led to Ava being separated from her mum.”
DCI Whalley also appealed directly to the mum and her family amid fears she may need medical attention.
She added: “You may not have felt confident to come forward yet, but please know that we have trained officers ready to support you, no matter what the circumstances are, please get in touch.”
“I would also like to thank the community for their support as we continue our appeals for information.
“We are now asking you to cast your minds back to previous months, perhaps you heard something, or saw something that didn’t feel right. It may have seemed insignificant at the time, but knowing what you know now, come forward.
“It could be crucial to finding the truth for Ava.”
One horrified local told media that the baby had been discovered just yards from the entrance to Ashtons Field beside a lay-by.
She added: “Because the poor little baby was found so close to the road and entrance to the park, it could well be that someone has driven here.
“They’ve just pulled in and thrown or placed the baby in the bushes and driven off. They could have come from anywhere.”
Anyone with information in relation to the incident is asked to contact police on 101 or 0161 856 2027 quoting log 1319 of 20/11/24.
