Police investigating the murder of a baby in Warrington in 1998 have charged a woman in connection with the incident.
Baby ‘Callum’ was discovered in woodland in the Callands area of the town in March 1998.
A murder investigation was subsequently launched by detectives from Cheshire Police.
In July 2023 police arrested a man and a woman from Liverpool in relation to the incident, the pair were subsequently released on bail.
Police have now rearrested the 54-year-old woman and the Crown Prosecution Service has now authorised Cheshire Police to charge Joanne Sharkey, of West Derby, in Liverpool with murder.
She has been remanded in custody and is set to appear at Warrington Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 16 April.
Police at the time named the infant Callum after the Callands district of Warrington where he was found dead, as his identity could not be confirmed.
A burial and funeral service was arranged by local people and he was buried in Warrington Cemetery a few months later.
The headstone, which was paid for with money raised by local residents, was inscribed: “Baby Callum, precious child of God. Laid to rest July 27, 1998. With love, from the people of Warrington.”
Detective Inspector Hannah Friend, of Cheshire Police’s Major Crime Review Team, said:
“I understand that this is an extremely emotional case which has attracted a lot of attention over the past twenty-six years, however I would ask people not to speculate.
“Criminal proceedings are now active against Joanne Sharkey, and she has the right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”
The man who was arrested as part of the investigation has since been released without charge. Officers are not looking for anyone else in relation to the death.
