Dad traced by police trying to solve 13-year mystery of baby found dead in stream

Detectives believe they are a step closer to solving the 13-year mystery of a dead baby found in a stream after they traced the newborn's father.

The baby boy was discovered in Spen Brook, which winds through fields near Kirkham in rural Lancashire, by a dog walker on 1 October 2011.

The cause of death of the full-term baby remains unexplained despite a post-mortem at the time.

Neither of his parents had been identified until recently - when a cold case team at Lancashire Police identified his father using a DNA familial link.

The force is now trying to locate the baby's mother.

Speaking at the scene where the newborn was discovered in October 2011, Detective Chief Inspector Bryony Midgley said on Wednesday that the father, who is originally from Manchester, was in his 20s and living in Blackpool at the time.

He is not a suspect and is helping police with their inquiries.

One theory is the child could have been the result of a casual fling.

DCI Midgley said the case has been reopened after the force was able to set up a cold case team within the past 18 months.

She said a "major part" of the investigation is finding out who the baby's mum is.

DCI Midgley said police have been unable to identify her because they do not have her DNA.

She added: "We are trying our very best to work through anybody the dad may have known at the time and understand who they are and whether they can assist in our enquiries."

DCI Midgley continued: "We ask for anyone who has any information which could help us find the mum, however small that piece of information might be, to come forward and speak to us.

"We believe somebody knows who she is and what happened back in 2011.

"You might not have wanted to come forward back then but with the passage of time it will feel right to do so now.

"Our specially trained officers will be there to support you."

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She added: We have made progress as the baby boy's dad has now been traced thanks to advances in DNA technology.

"The dad, who lived in Blackpool, has been assisting with this investigation, but we have still so far been unable to identify baby's mum.

"These scientific developments should also help us to confirm who his mum is."

Locals in nearby villages raised funds, paying for the child's gravestone and burial at St Michael's Church in Kirkham in 2011.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

(c) Sky News 2025: Dad traced by police trying to solve 13-year mystery of baby found dead in stream