Detective Constable Beth Colbourne received an email that led to the resolution of a long-standing baby death mystery after 25 years. The newborn baby, later identified as Baby Callum, was discovered by a dog walker in 1998 wrapped in bin bags near a theme park in Warrington. The case led to a widespread search for the parents and had a profound impact on the Chester area. Several young women were questioned and DNA tested but no one came forward with information.

The solution to the mystery came when a routine DNA review identified an unusually close match between Baby Callum and another man on the national database. Further testing revealed that Matthew Sharkey, now 28, was the older brother of Callum. It was through this connection that Joanne Sharkey, now 55, was identified as the mother of the newborn.

Sharkey, who had been suffering from severe postpartum depression at the time, admitted to killing her newborn son. She was sentenced to a two-year suspended prison term, meaning she did not have to serve time in jail. The judge acknowledged that Sharkey had led an unblemished life before and after the incident and recognized the need for compassion.

Detectives involved in the investigation expressed relief at finally solving the puzzle and bringing closure to the community affected by the case. They emphasized the importance of comprehensive postnatal support in cases like Sharkey’s, highlighting the need for better resources to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/apr/06/how-mystery-of-baby-callum-death-came-to-an-end