A baby girl found dead in woods in Heywood two weeks ago has been named ‘Baby Pearl’ by police.

Detectives do not yet know her identity but have revealed she was white and was found naked on the ground in woodland near the River Roch.

Concern is growing for her mother, who has still not been traced a fortnight after the grim discovery, close to the Back o’ Th’ Moss estate.

In a press conference on Wednesday, Detective Chief Inspector Lewis Hughes, of GMP’s Major Incident Team, said the case was ‘heart-breaking for all involved’.

He said it was important the girl was given a name, Pearl, which means precious.

“Obviously all children are precious and this child, who was found in the woods, is no different,” he added.

DCI Hughes made another appeal for information and described Pearl as white, although they have not ruled some mixed heritage.

Officers have obtained her DNA but they are still trying to trace the identity of her mother and father.

A post mortem examination into the cause of death proved inconclusive and further tests are continuing. She was a developed baby, according to officers.

However, it remains unclear whether Baby Pearl was still-born or had lived for a short time before her death.

Detectives are also trying to understand who placed her in the woods, known locally as Bluebell Forest.

They say they have found no evidence she was born at the spot where her body was found and they believe she was found relatively quickly as the area is close to a popular route for dog walkers.

Police remain open-minded about where the mother comes from but they suspect she is from the local area.

A mobile police station has been set up near Bluebell Forest and detectives are concentrating their efforts in Heywood.

The DCI conceded officers had received ‘very limited’ information following their initial appeals to the public two weeks ago.

We are looking for assistance from the people of Heywood giving us information that we vitally need to progress this investigation and find out exactly what’s happened to Baby Pearl,” he said.

He added: ”I believe someone somewhere knows who the parents are and I believe someone somewhere knows who’s put Baby Pearl in the woods where she’s been found by dog walkers.

“I’d like to appeal to the public if anyone has seen anything, heard anything or knows anything however small they might think that is it might be really important information to us and I would encourage anybody to come forward with that information.”

Anyone with information can call police on 07387 705768.

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