SOUTHAMPTON, UK – A significant development has emerged in the case of a human placenta discovered in a Southampton park back in June. As authorities intensify their efforts to locate the mother and baby believed to be associated with this troubling incident, a charity has stepped forward to offer a £5,000 reward for information leading to their identification.
On June 21, 2023, a 15-year-old schoolboy made the startling discovery on a path leading to Holly Brook Park, prompting a criminal investigation by local police. To date, neither the mother nor the baby has been identified or located, raising concerns about their well-being.
The investigation, which began in September, revolves around suspicions of the unlawful concealment of a birth, specifically focusing on the period between June 17 and the date when the placenta was found. Two women were initially arrested in connection with the case, but they were subsequently released without charges.
Crimestoppers, an independent charity distinct from the police, has now taken the initiative by offering the £5,000 reward for anonymous information that aids in identifying those responsible for this mysterious incident.
Beth Simpson, Crimestoppers’s Hampshire Regional Manager, expressed the growing concerns for the mother and baby’s well-being, urging anyone with information to come forward: “We are urging anyone who may know something to contact our charity anonymously as soon as possible. Someone may know or suspect who the mother is, and we hope it will prompt someone to speak to us.”
Detective Chief Inspector Elizabeth Pirie of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary echoed these concerns, stating, “We hope the mother and baby are safe, but we cannot exclude the possibility that one or both have come to harm. We must consider a range of possibilities and that the mother and her child could be in distress or may have come to harm.”
Despite concerns that the publicity surrounding the case might deter the mother from coming forward, authorities emphasize the urgency of the situation, suggesting that if she were capable or intending to present herself, she would have done so by now.
The discovery of the placenta near Spire Hospital in June initiated an extensive search, involving officers and specialist dogs. As the investigation reaches its three-month milestone, authorities are now exploring the possibility of criminal offenses.
A 25-year-old woman from Southampton was recently arrested on suspicion of concealing the birth of a child as part of the ongoing investigation. However, following DNA inquiries, she has been excluded from the inquiry, and no further action will be taken against her.
Year nine student Jamie Clarke, who initially discovered the placenta, recounted the unsettling encounter and the subsequent involvement of law enforcement. Officers promptly cordoned off the area and conducted an extensive search for the mother, utilizing drones and tracker dogs.
In August, Hampshire police released a photo of a man they wished to question in connection with the case, seeking information from the public. They also urged anyone with concerns about someone close to them who may have recently given birth to come forward with information.
Authorities have urged anyone with knowledge regarding the whereabouts of the mother and baby or any details related to the June discovery to contact them at 101, quoting reference 44230246419/Op Holdo.
The case continues to unfold, with the community and law enforcement agencies working together to resolve this puzzling and concerning situation.
