New bid to trace tragic baby’s mother

A heart-rending artist’s impression of a new born baby found dead in a lane five months ago has been issued by police as they stepped up efforts to identify her mother.

The infant, named Carrie by police, will finally be buried this week after the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the local council in Carryduff, Co Down, united to give her a proper burial.

Carrie will be buried on Thursday after an interdenominational service. Chief Superintendent Roy McComb said the burial was the right thing to do “morally, spiritually and ethically”.

“We want to treat Carrie with the dignity that she was not afforded due to the circumstances of her birth and death”.

He said he believed the funeral was what the baby’s mother wanted. The circumstances in which the baby was left in the well-used lane gave a very strong indication someone, probably the mother, wanted the body to be found.

Posters bearing the image of baby Carrie are being placed around Carryduff by police in a fresh bid to get the mother, or someone who knows her, to come forward.

They bear the message: “Carrie died in what must have been the most distressing circumstances for her mum and her family.

“We are worried that Carrie’s mum may still be in great distress or even danger and in urgent need of support, care and protection, so please ring us.”

It adds: “Carrie is all alone now and really needs someone to speak up for her. If you can be that person we will give you all the help that we can to deal with what has happened to you and your family. All you have to do is pick up the phone.”

Police urged either the mother or anyone who knows her to contact them on 028 9025 9793 or 0800 555 111.

The PSNI and Castlereagh District Council have collaborated to ensure the baby will have a proper grave and a headstone which bears the simple inscription: “Baby Carrie. Known only unto God.”