Mother left dead baby in alley, inquest told
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails
Sign up to our free breaking news emails
Sign up to our free breaking news emails
A woman abandoned her stillborn baby boy in an alley behind a convenience store, an inquest heard today.
The mother left the infant concealed in a Next carrier bag behind the Spar shop on Newport Road, Cwmcarn, south Wales, where it was discovered by the shopkeeper's son.
Employees brought the baby into the shop and attempted to revive him but he was "cold and unresponsive", Newport Coroner's Court heard.
In written evidence read out in court, Detective Sergeant Justin O'Keefe, of Gwent Police, said: "It appears the baby had been abandoned much earlier that day.
"A number of witnesses had observed the Next carrier bag in the lane that morning."
Police officers named the baby Patrick because he was discovered on March 18, the day after St Patrick's Day.
The detective said the baby's mother had been arrested and bailed and added: "She admitted leaving the baby and claimed the infant was stillborn."
Dr Stephen Leadbeatter, who carried out the post-mortem examination, said there was no evidence to rebut her claim, the inquest heard.
At the time the child was found, shopkeeper Gursewak Singh, 39, said he saw a Next carrier bag near the back of his shop but thought it was gym kit belonging to one of the patrons of the nearby boxing club.
Coroner David Bowen recorded a verdict of stillbirth.