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A DESPERATE search is under way for the mum of a baby girl found dead in a field.

Police fear the tragic tot’s mum may need urgent medical attention – and have called on her to contact them in a public appeal.

 A private ambulance delivered the Moses basket for police to take to the scene
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A private ambulance delivered the Moses basket for police to take to the sceneCredit: Mercury Press

The tiny newborn was found dead in a field in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, just after 7am on Wednesday.

Horrified cops taped off the secluded forest area after a dog walker made the shocking discovery.

The newborn was discovered in a small piece of  woodland in the middle of a housing estate in the Heywood area.

But detectives attention has now turned to the baby's mother - who they fear may be in danger.

 Cops were called to a field in Rochdale, Greater Manchester when horrified walkers came across the tot's body
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Cops were called to a field in Rochdale, Greater Manchester when horrified walkers came across the tot's bodyCredit: MEN Media
Body of newborn baby found dumped in a field in Rochdale

Detective Constable Kelly Bragg, of Greater Manchester Police, confirmed the child was a baby girl.

In the public appeal, she said: "Sadly the baby had died and our main priority at this time is the well-being of the baby girl's mother as she may be in need of urgent medical attention.

"If you are the baby's mother I would ask you to get in touch, either directly to me or ask a family member or friend you can trust to contact me on your behalf, and we will do everything we can to help you.

"We also understand that it may be difficult for the baby's mother to come forward and as such I am also asking for anyone who may have information that might assist us to get in touch on 07387 705768."

 

 Officers were seen carrying a Moses basket in the area where the baby's body was discovered
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Officers were seen carrying a Moses basket in the area where the baby's body was discoveredCredit: Mercury Press
 The tragic scene has been taped off
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The tragic scene has been taped offCredit: MEN Media
 The tot's body was found off George Street, Heywood
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The tot's body was found off George Street, HeywoodCredit: MEN Media
 A police cordon was put around the wooded area near to where the baby was found
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A police cordon was put around the wooded area near to where the baby was foundCredit: Mercury Press
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A post-mortem examination has proved inconclusive and more tests are needed to establish how the baby died.

The area where the body was found was taped off and sniffer dogs brought in.

Local well-wishers have left flowers and teddy bears at the tragic scene.

The area, which is just 500 yards metres from nearby houses, was described as a popular shortcut for residents of the estate.

One girl, aged 19, who took flowers to the scene on Wednesday said: "It’s so tragic. We were so touched and just wanted to come and lay these to pay our respects".

Officers carried the flowers into the woodland to lay them near the site where the baby’s body was found.

Another neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “I can’t believe what has happened. Nothing like this ever happens here.

 

 Floral tributes have been left for the tragic tot
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Floral tributes have been left for the tragic totCredit: Guzelian
 Police at the scene in Heywood on Wednesday afternoon
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Police at the scene in Heywood on Wednesday afternoonCredit: Mercury Press
 Detectives are scouring the area for evidence that could determine what happened to the baby
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Detectives are scouring the area for evidence that could determine what happened to the babyCredit: Mercury Press

“I didn’t know anything about the baby being found until the police knocked on my door this morning. I felt sick when they told me.

“I can’t believe a poor helpless baby has been left in a field to die.

“I haven’t seen the cordon but the field is quite secluded and away from the houses.

“It’s so sad but we don’t know the circumstances around it.”


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