A woman has been charged with murder by detectives investigating the death of a baby found in woodland more than 25 years ago. "Callum" was discovered close to the Gulliver’s World theme park in the Callands area of Warrington in March 1998 and a murder investigation was launched.
The baby was named by detectives after the place where his body was found. Callum was believed to have been just a few hours old when he died.
On Monday (April 15) Joanne Sharkey, of West Derby in Liverpool, was charged with murder. The 54-year-old will appear at Warrington Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.
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."
A man was arrested in July 2023 but has been released without charge, Cheshire Police said.
