Will DNA profile lead police to the parents of baby boy dumped in a plastic bag 30 years ago?

Detectives have secured a DNA profile for a baby boy dumped in a plastic bag 30 years ago - but will it bring his parents to justice?

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by Kayleigh Dray |
Published on

The baby's body was discovered on the banks of the River Lagan in Northern Ireland on the 21st February 1984.

“If you are one of the parents of this baby boy and you have been wrestling with your conscience for the past 30 years, then this is an opportunity for you to do something positive about it"

A dog walker stumbled across the little baby's body, which had been placed in a green plastic bag. A post-mortem examination revealed that he had been born alive but had died as a result of head injuries.

Detectives are now hoping that a DNA profile will lead them to the baby's parents, 30 years after his death. But, in one final plea, they have asked that the parents make themselves known.

Detective Chief Inspector David Cunningham, from Serious Crime Branch, said to the Belfast Telegrap: “We have obtained a DNA profile and efforts are being made to match this with samples on the DNA database. Our investigative work will continue and with advances in forensic science we are hopeful of making further progress.

“If you know or suspect who the parents are, then let us know and we can carry out a forensic comparison.

"But the best way of reaching an informed resolution to our investigation would be for the boy’s parents or anyone who has information, suspicions or concerns about the circumstances of his birth and his untimely death 30 years ago to come forward and talk to police.

“I am sure someone knows what happened in this case. It is first and foremost a tragedy. The boy would be a 30-year-old man today, perhaps with a family of his own.

“As it is, he is a baby with no name, no family and no history. We owe it to this child to do everything we possibly can to determine the circumstances surrounding his death.

“If you are one of the parents of this baby boy and you have been wrestling with your conscience for the past 30 years, then this is an opportunity for you to do something positive about it.

“I would also ask anyone with information, even after 30 years, to be true to themselves and to the memory of this baby boy and talk to us."

The number to call is 02890 700727 or 07585228283.

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