Woman, 57, arrested on suspicion of murder over death of newborn baby girl found more than 40 years ago
A woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder following the death of a newborn girl found in Northampton in 1982.
The 57-year-old was taken to a location in the county where she was questioned by homicide detectives, police said.
The woman, who was said to have been 15 years old when the baby was found, was released on bail this afternoon.
A major police investigation began in May 1982 when the baby was found in the city.
However, no one was ever prosecuted and the investigation was closed in 1993.
New evidence emerged in 2023 following a cold case investigation by Northamptonshire Police, leading to the arrest this week.
A woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder following the death of a newborn girl found in Northampton in 1982 (Photo: Northamptonshire Police HQ, Wootton Hall)
Detective Chief Inspector Johnny Campbell, from the Major Crime The East Midlands Special Operations Unit team said: “This has been an extremely complex investigation into events that took place more than forty years ago and a lot of work has gone into getting us to this point.
“Dozens of officers from both Northamptonshire Police and our colleagues in the region have been involved in the operation over the last 48 hours or more and I would like to thank them all for their work.
‘This investigation remains live and ongoing and therefore Northamptonshire Police will be making no further comment at this time.’
