Police appeal for mother after foetus found in woodland at Hodder Bridge near Stonyhurst
Police have issued an urgent appeal to identify the mother of a foetus found in a wooded area beneath Hodder Bridge in Stonyhurst.
The appeal comes after officers were called at around 3-13pm on Tuesday, August 11th, after a member of the public discovered a bag containing what they initially believed to be a placenta.
The discovery was made in woodland on the Mitton side of the River Hodder, beneath the bridge on Whalley Road.
Officers attended and later established that the bag contained the remains of a foetus.
A scene and police cordon remain in place while forensic enquiries continue, with detectives carrying out a number of enquiries to establish how the remains came to be at the location.
Police said they do not currently believe the foetus was full term, although enquiries are continuing to establish the exact stage of gestation.
Detectives are also working to identify the mother, with police stressing they are “really concerned” about her health and welfare.
Det. Chief Insp Jill Vescovi, of Lancashire Police's Force Major Investigation Team, said the discovery was “devastatingly sad” and urged the mother to come forward.
She said: “Our enquiries are in their very early stages, and we are working to determine the important facts.
“What we do know is that it is really important for us to find the mother of this baby. We are concerned about her health, and her welfare, and urgently need to identify her and speak to her.
“I know that she must have been through something horrific, and she may be frightened about coming forward.
“We need to speak to her so that we can find out what happened, and so that we are able to give her baby the goodbye they deserve.”
Police are also appealing to anyone who visited the area over the weekend or earlier this week to come forward.
In particular, officers want to speak to a man who was in the area with two children between 1pm and 3pm on Tuesday.
Police also want to hear from anyone who may have taken photographs in the area over the weekend or at the beginning of this week.
DCI Vescovi added: “It's also really important that we speak to people who were in the area recently, to help us try and determine how the foetus came to be in this area.
“Someone will know what has happened, and it is my, and my team's job to find out exactly what.
“We have enquiries ongoing, but we need your help. If you know anything, no matter how insignificant you may think it is, please get in touch with us."
She also made a direct appeal to the mother, saying: “Please come forward and speak to us, or someone you trust who will make a report.
“We want to make sure you are safe and that you have had any relevant treatment you may need.”
Anyone who can assist the investigation is asked to contact police on 101, quoting log 0864 of August 11.