Buckland baby murder: Flowers and balloon mark 12 months since infant girl found dead

Secured to the ground with a bottle containing one yellow and three pink roses, it was the only public acknowledgment of the tragedy in Buckland.

Detectives are continuing to investigate how the infant came to die at the junction of Old Commercial Road and Victoria Street, close to Charles Dickens’ birthplace.

Two of three women arrested were last month released with no further action, while a 21-year-old arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder remains under investigation.

The arrests followed a search in All Saints Street in May during the lockdown as Britons were ordered to stay at home due to Covid-19.

Paulsgrove mum Katherine Edwards, 29, placed the balloon and flowers on Sunday night.

She hopes one day a memorial plaque can be installed on the lamppost near where the baby girl was found dead a few feet away from a discarded yellow Primark towel

‘It’s one year on and no justice for this baby,’ Katherine said. ‘It sends chills down me because of the way this baby was left. It is so upsetting.’

She added: ‘I and probably so many would find that a memorial plaque would help many grieving mothers.’

Officers from Hampshire police’s Major Crime Unit are investigating the death.

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Last month Hampshire police said: ‘As we are sure people will appreciate, this is a complex investigation and our work continues to ensure all is done to get the right outcome for all those involved.’

A post mortem proved inconclusive, police previously said.

Announcing in December that two women would face no action, the spokeswoman said: ‘Two women, aged 22 and 39, from Portsmouth arrested following the death of a baby girl who was found in the city (in January 2020) have been released without charge and will face no further action.’

Anyone with information should call police on 101 quoting 44200030626 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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