The man and woman are being held as part of a probe into her death after she was discovered close to the River Roch on April 4
THE parents of a newborn baby was found dead in woodland have today been arrested on suspicion of murder.
The man, 48, and woman, 33, are being held as part of a probe into baby Pearl’s death after she was discovered in Heywood, Greater Manchester, on April 4.
They are being quizzed on suspicion of murder, concealing a birth and preventing a lawful burial after being arrested this morning.
MEN reports the pair are the girl’s parents but police would only confirm the arrests are “domestic”.
Pearl, who was named by officers, was discovered dead by a dog walker close to the River Roch, near the Back o’th’ Moss estate.
She had two ribs missing as part of a birth defect and her umbilical cord was still attached and showed signs it had been “severed roughly”.
Officers at the time said Pearl may have been alive when she was dumped and could have been left to die after being carried up a hill and rolled down a steep rock face.
Police specialists were forced to abseil down to retrieve her body.
A GMP spokesman said: “In the past three months officers have been following extensive enquiries including DNA analysis to find out exactly what happened to Pearl.
“Today, Wednesday 25 July 2018, a 48-year-old man and a 33-year-old woman, have been arrested on suspicion of murder, concealing a birth and preventing a lawful burial.
“They remain in custody for questioning and enquiries are ongoing.”
Police haven’t revealed where Pearl’s parents were arrested.
Detective Superintendent Lewis Hughes said: “This continues to be an incredibly heartbreaking case for everyone involved – from the detectives working painstaking hours to find those responsible to members of the public that have felt the loss of Pearl.
“While we have two people in custody, our investigation is still very much ongoing and I would continue to urge anyone with even the smallest piece of information – no matter how insignificant it may seem – to please get in touch.
“We’re committed to finding the truth for this little girl and truly believe the public could hold the key to this tragic case.”
A huge investigation was launched to find Pearl’s parents after she was discovered in April.
DNA tests carried out on the tot threw up thousands of matches on the national police database.
Pearl, whose name means “precious”, is believed to be white but ethnicity testing suggests there may have been a mixed racial heritage in her family.
Cops were unable to establish what colour hair or eyes Pearl had.
A funeral has yet to be held for the tragic tot.
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