Woman arrested after baby remains found on common (From Wandsworth Guardian)

Woman arrested after baby remains found on common

12:00pm Wednesday 19th September 2012 in News By Alexandra Rucki

A 36-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of concealing a birth after remains were found on a common last week.

Police were called at 8am on September 10 after a baby's legs were discovered by a council contractor near Doctor Johnson Avenue on Tooting Bec Common.

A post-mortem examination at Great Ormond Street revealed the remains were of a white baby under two weeks old.

But forensic experts were unable to confirm the gender or cause of death.

A five day search of the common took place involving sniffer dogs, but no more remains have been found.

The woman was arrested on Monday and taken to a south London police station.

She has since been detained for four weeks under the Mental Health Act.

Police, who last week contacted local GP surgeries and health centres in a bid to trace the mother, are continuing their appeal to the public for more information.

Anyone with information can call detectives on 020 8721 4906 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.