The coffin bearing the body of abandoned baby Callum found strangled shortly after his birth four months ago lies in St Elphin's parish church, Warrington today (Monday). Around 150 mourners attended the funeral of Callum, named after the Callands area of Warrington, Cheshire. See PA Story FUNERAL Callum. Liverpool Daily Post POOL Photo PA.
The coffin bearing the body of abandoned baby Callum (Picture: PA)

A woman has been charged with murder over the death of a baby found in woodland in Warrington nearly three decades ago.

The baby boy, named ‘Callum’ by police was found on March 14, 1998, in the Callands area of the town.

A dog walker discovered the baby, a few hours old, wrapped in a plastic bag.

Last July Cheshire police arrested a man and woman from Liverpool in connection with the death.

Earlier today, police re-arrested Joanne Sharkey, 54 and from West Derby, and she has now been charged with murder.

She’s been remanded in custody and is set to appear at Warrington magistrates court tomorrow.

The wooded area near Gulliver?s World Theme Park in Warrington, Cheshire, where the babys body was found at around 11am on March 14, 1998. Photo released October 18 2023. See SWNS story SWLSbaby. A man and a woman have been arrested in a murder investigation following the death of a baby 25 years ago. In the late morning of March 14, 1998, the body of a strangled baby boy was found in wooded areas in Callands near to Gulliver?s World Theme Park. Named after the area of Warrington in which he was found, the investigation into Callum?s death remains unsolved. His true identity remains a mystery, and his parents have never been identified.
Baby Callum was found in a wooded area near Gulliver’s World Theme Park (Picture: Warrington Guardian/SWNS)
The headstone that was used when Callum was buried at Warrington Cemetery was inscribed: ?Baby Callum, precious child of God. Laid to rest July 27, 1998. With love, from the people of Warrington.? Photo released October 18 2023. See SWNS story SWLSbaby. A man and a woman have been arrested in a murder investigation following the death of a baby 25 years ago. In the late morning of March 14, 1998, the body of a strangled baby boy was found in wooded areas in Callands near to Gulliver?s World Theme Park. Named after the area of Warrington in which he was found, the investigation into Callum?s death remains unsolved. His true identity remains a mystery, and his parents have never been identified.
Baby Callum’s headstone in Warrington Cemetery (Picture: Warrington Guardian/SWNS)

Detective Inspector Hannah Friend said: ‘I understand that this is an extremely emotional case which has attracted a lot of attention over the past 26 years, however I would ask people not to speculate.

‘Criminal proceedings are now active against Joanne Sharkey, and she has the right to a fair trial.

‘It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.’

The man who was arrested as part of the investigation has since been released without charge. Officers are not looking for anyone else in relation to the death.

Despite an extensive murder investigation police have never been able to identify him or his parents – and the baby was named Callum after the suburb, Callands, where his body was found, not far from Gulliver’s World Theme Park.

Thousands of people were interviewed amid the original police investigation. A woman described as ‘upset and emotional’ called the police hotline and claimed to be Callum’s mum, but she was never traced.

A distressed girl in a beige coat spotted in the area at the time was also never found.

A burial and funeral service was arranged by local people and he was buried in Warrington Cemetery a few months after he was found.

The headstone which was paid for with money raised by local residents was inscribed: ‘Baby Callum, precious child of God. Laid to rest July 27, 1998. With love, from the people of Warrington.’

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