By An arrest has been made over the death of a baby in Hythe
Hampshire Constabulary have issued an update, stating that they have made an arrest over the death of a newborn baby in Hythe.
A 36-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder after the body of a newborn baby boy was found in woodland on Thursday afternoon.
The body was found near Shore Road in Hythe, near Southampton. The death was previously labelled as ‘unexplained’, but is now being treated as a murder case.
Police were called to the scene just after 14:00 on Thursday. Officers have since been carrying out a number of enquiries including house-to-house visits.
Detectives are said to have combed the area overnight.
Hampshire Constabulary said that this had resulted in a woman being arrested on suspicion of murder. She is now in police custody.
Detective Chief Inspector Liz Williams called the investigation into the baby’s death “difficult and complex.”
The case is being called ‘Operation Verse.’
This latest update follows a public appeal issued by Hampshire Police, in which Inspector Helen Andrews stated that their primary concerns were for the welfare of the mother:
“Our priority remains ensuring the welfare of the mother of this boy.
We can now say that we believe the boy was born either full-term or close to full-term and he is white.
Our officers have been carrying out house-to-house enquiries today and will be in the area through the weekend.”
Appealing to the mother, Director of Midwifery at University Hospital Southampton Suzanne Cunningham said:
“This will undoubtedly have been a very distressing time for you and it is vitally important you seek medical assistance.
I would urge you to please make contact with someone who can help you.
You may not want to call the police, but please speak to someone – be that a healthcare professional, a GP or by attending a hospital.
Both they and we want to help you.
You may be concerned about a friend or relative, they may not have been acting their normal self or look their normal self.
If you have concerns about someone who you know has recently been heavily pregnant or believe may have been, I would urge you to get in touch.
Your call could be vitally important for the welfare of the mother of this baby boy.”
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