The mystery of Baby Ava remains unsolved a month after the newborn’s body was found near a motorway bridge – but police insist all hope is not lost.
The mother of the unidentified girl known as Baby Ava, who was discovered by a dog walker in a snowy field near the M61 in Salfordis still unknown.
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But officers remain determined to find out who she is and how she and her children became separated, Greater said Corduroy Police.
They also hope to extract DNA information from a paragraph pink cloth believed to have been used to wrap the child – which could lead to the identity of a family member.
Concerns remain for the well-being of the baby’s mother who may be in an emergency after the trauma that saw her abandon Baby Ava just off the main road.
The cause of death remains “uncertain” as the results of further tests are awaited, the force added.
In an update issued today, Detective Inspector Charlotte Whalley said: “We remain determined to establish who Ava’s mother is and the full circumstances that led to her and Ava being separated.
“Our determination to get answers for Ava is relentless and will continue throughout Christmas and beyond.
“We are asking anyone who may have information that could help us, no matter how small, to come forward as this could provide the key to unlocking investigation.”
In the wake of the horrifying discovery, locals paid 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 for charity and care Home in the area.
She said: “The tributes to Baby Ava have now gone to their forever homes and we want to thank the community who have come together and shown huge support for her and our officers who are investigating this case.”
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Meanwhile, a botanist works with the police and examines the soil where Ava was found.
Although the remains were found on the surface, work is underway to determine if they were ever buried and, crucially, how long they had been there.
Anthropologists and archaeologists also assist the investigation.
And Greater Manchester Police have consulted a behavioral psychologist, who has suggested 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 are 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 spotted by Ashtons Field, Greater Manchester, on November 21.
Emergency crews swept onto Ravenscraig Road, which is surrounded by industrial buildings, and cordoned off the area.
At the time, officers said they did not know the gender, age or ethnicity of Baby A.
Chief executive 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 are likely to see an increased presence of officers in the local area while we carry out inquiries to understand the circumstances.
“All of this is extremely sensitive, and this investigation must be handled with the utmost care it deserves, and that will take time.”
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In a later update, DCI Whalley said: “We know this case has touched hearts by many people in Greater Manchester, and like you, we are determined to find out what happened to this little girl.
“As part of our investigations, we are working to establish who Ava’s mother is and all possible scenarios and circumstances that have led to Ava being separated from her mother.”
DCI Whalley also appealed directly to the mother and her family with fears she may need medical attention.
She added: “You may not have felt safe to come forward yet, but please know that we have trained officers ready to support you, whatever the circumstances, please get in touch.”
“I would also like to thank the community for their support as we continue our appeals for information.
“We are asking you now to return to previous months, perhaps you have heard something, or seen something that did not 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.”
A horrified local told the media that the child had been discovered just meters from the entrance to Ashtons Field next to a rest area.
She added: “As the poor little baby was found so close to the road and the entrance to the park, it could well be that someone drove here.
“They just pulled in and threw or placed the child in the bushes and drove off. They could have come from anywhere.”
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact police on 101 or 0161 856 2027 quoting log 1319 of 20/11/24.
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