A father remains deeply unsettled after discovering a 100 year old skeletal remains of an infant beneath the floorboards of a property he was renovating. Months later, the trauma of the find still weighs heavily on him.
David Dent, a father of six, stumbled upon the remains wrapped in a newspaper from 1910 while working on an upstairs apartment in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, last July. The shocking discovery has left a lasting impact on him.
Authorities suspect the baby, whose gender remains unidentified, may have been killed shortly after birth. A piece of twine was found around the infant’s neck, prompting further investigation.
Forensic experts are awaiting carbon dating results to determine the exact time of death and conducting DNA analysis to potentially identify surviving relatives.
David, from Newton Aycliffe, said he was in shock when he unwrapped the remains after lifting up the floorboards with a colleague. The disturbing experience continues to haunt him.
He told The Sun: “I was using a length of 4×2 to pry up the floorboards when we found a bundle of newspaper.
“At first, all I could see was a ribcage… My mate spotted something and said, ‘Urgh, what’s that there?’ I initially thought it was a large bird, like a pigeon.
“When I picked it up and unwrapped the paper, I saw a tiny skull. I was in shock. I half-placed, half-dropped it on the floor. Then I noticed a little arm and a hand that fell off.”
David was especially shaken by the size of the newborn, comparing it to his own daughter, Bella. In a panic, he FaceTimed his wife for advice.
She immediately spotted the twine wrapped around the baby’s neck and urged him to call the police. Officers soon arrived and confirmed the tragic discovery.
Despite previously working for an undertaker and being accustomed to handling deceased bodies, David admitted that this particular find deeply disturbed him. He has been struggling with PTSD from the incident and feels frustrated that police have not kept him updated on the investigation, despite promises to do so.
“I’ve been managing okay these last couple of months,” he said. “But when I have a few drinks on the weekend with my mates, the memories flash back.
“I keep wondering how anyone could do that to a baby. I have six kids of my own.”
He added: “I just hope the baby can be put to rest, and with luck, they’ll find its relatives.”
Detectives from Durham Constabulary are combing through historical records from 1900 to 1920 to uncover the baby’s identity. They are treating the death as suspicious due to the twine found around the neck.
The property where the remains were found dates back to the Victorian era and once housed a church-run mother and baby unit. However, investigators believe the baby was concealed there long before the unit was established.
Detective Chief Inspector Mel Sutherland of Durham Constabulary stated: “The evidence suggests this occurred a very long time ago, making it extremely difficult to investigate, but we still have a duty to that baby.
“My focus is on identifying the child, understanding what happened, and determining how the remains ended up beneath the floorboards.
“As soon as possible, I am committed to ensuring this baby receives a proper and dignified funeral.”
Last year, the investigation gained traction after reports suggested a woman named Mary Jane Walker, who lived at the property in the early 20th century, might have been the baby’s mother.
Research by the Daily Mail linked Ms. Walker to the case. The 1911 census identified her as the only woman of childbearing age residing at 67 Fore Bondgate, the address where the remains were found.
At the time, Ms. Walker was a 22-year-old single woman listed as a domestic servant. She lived at the property for over 50 years, with no recorded marriage.
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During the early 1900s, pregnancies outside of marriage were heavily stigmatized, often forcing women to conceal their condition.
While Ms. Walker’s connection to the baby remains speculative, her circumstances align with the social pressures of the time. Investigators are awaiting scientific evidence to determine if there is a definitive link between her and the child.
As the inquiry continues, detectives remain committed to uncovering the truth behind this haunting historical mystery, ensuring the baby receives the dignity and closure it deserves.
