Dead newborn baby found in recycling bin in Telford

The search for the baby was sparked by doctors at the town's Princess Royal Hospital after an 18-year-old woman was admitted. It was apparent to the doctors that she had recently given birth.

Her baby was discovered by other family members in a recycling bin later on November 30 last year in the garden of the house where they lived.

The baby boy had been wrapped up in sheets and placed inside a bag – and the umbilical cord and placenta were found in the mother's bedroom. Police launched an investigation and found the baby was born unexpectedly on his mother's bed at her home four days earlier.

She had left work early and went to her room with a migraine before giving birth between 4pm and 5pm, the inquest heard.

Before lying on the bed with her son, she managed to cut the umbilical cord using some scissors from her brother's room.

But the baby died shortly afterwards as he lay next to the young mother who had become unconsciousness after losing a lot of blood and suffering extreme pain, the hearing was told.

When she woke, the baby was "cold" and "not moving" and it was then she realised he was dead.

Coroner John Ellery, for Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin, concluded a narrative verdict at a hearing into his death yesterday held at Wellington Civic Centre.

Mr Ellery said: "It appears that he died lying next to his mother in bed, who was in and out of consciousness.

"The medical cause of death is unascertained. His mother was unconscious at the moment that he died."

Detective Sergeant Sophie Wade, of West Mercia Police and based at Malinsgate Police Station, told the inquest: "It became clear to doctors that a full-term baby had been delivered and a search was launched. The placenta was found in her bedroom but the baby was still outstanding.

"The search took to the garden where there were three bins. In the recycling bin they found a bag and they could feel the shape of a baby in the bag. The police and paramedics were called and confirmed the baby was dead.

"The mother had been at work feeling unwell. We believe between 4pm and 5pm on November 26 the baby was delivered. No-one else was in the house.

"She passed in and out of consciousness but when she woke the baby was cold and unmoving and it was then she realised he was dead."

He was found wrapped up in the bin four days later, she added.

DS Wade said at the time of his birth he was "making noise and moving" and that his arrival had been a "complete shock".