A tragic incident involving the discovery of a newborn baby boy’s body in a shopping bag has shocked the Notting Hill community, prompting a police investigation and appeals for the mother to come forward.
A tragic incident unfolded last week in Notting Hill, West London, where the body of a newborn baby boy was discovered in a black Marks & Spencer shopping bag outside All Saints Church. Metropolitan Police received the call at 12:46pm on Tuesday, March 25, when a council refuse worker made the grim find.
Upon arrival, police and paramedics pronounced the baby dead at the scene. The shopping bag was notably marked with images of avocados, prompting investigators to focus their efforts on locating the mother of the infant. Subsequently, the Metropolitan Police launched a public appeal for the mother to come forward, emphasising her welfare given the circumstances.
In the days following the tragic discovery, a woman in her 30s was arrested on Saturday on suspicion of concealing a birth, neglect, and infanticide. The woman, whose identity has not been disclosed for legal reasons, was taken to a nearby hospital for medical treatment where she remained as of the latest reports.
Superintendent Owen Renowden, who oversees policing for Kensington and Chelsea, expressed that the investigation is ongoing, describing it as “fast-paced” with officers working diligently to understand the events leading to the baby’s death. He stated, “We believe that the woman is the baby’s mother and I am reassured that she is receiving the support she needs, while officers continue their work to understand what took place.”
Community members have reacted with shock and sadness to the news. Marcia Haynes, deputy warden at All Saints Church, noted the incident was unprecedented in her long tenure. She recounted the moment she saw police inundating the church after the discovery, saying, “I think they thought the mother may have been in here. It’s such a shock.” Haynes further mentioned she had let police officers search the church premises, as they looked for any sign of the mother.
The investigation has prompted concerns within the local community. Superintendent Renowden acknowledged these sentiments, urging the public not to speculate about the circumstances surrounding the incident. He reassured the community that their priority is ensuring the welfare of all involved while thoroughly exploring all lines of inquiry.
In a televised press conference, Superintendent Renowden directly addressed the baby’s mother, expressing concern for her well-being and urging her to seek medical assistance, highlighting the challenges she might be facing after giving birth.
In the aftermath of the discovery, floral tributes and messages of sympathy have emerged at the location, reflecting the community’s collective sorrow for the tragic loss of life. The police are appealing for anyone with further information to come forward, as they prepare for a forensic post-mortem examination scheduled for later this week to ascertain the cause of the baby’s death.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://news.met.police.uk/news/ongoing-appeal-to-locate-mother-following-death-of-baby-in-notting-hill-495546 – This URL confirms the discovery of a newborn baby in a Marks & Spencer bag in Notting Hill and details the ongoing investigation to locate the mother.
- https://news.sky.com/story/police-say-newborn-baby-found-dead-outside-church-in-m-and-s-bag-13335973 – This report provides additional details on the incident, including the location and the condition in which the baby was found.
- https://www.itv.com/news/2025-03-31/woman-arrested-after-baby-boy-found-dead-in-m-and-s-shopping-bag – This article updates the situation with the arrest of a woman suspected of concealing a birth and provides context on the ongoing police investigation.
- https://www.noahwire.com – This URL is the source of the original article about the incident in Notting Hill.
- https://news.met.police.uk/ – This is the official Metropolitan Police news website, which would likely provide updates on ongoing investigations such as this case.
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/location/london – Although not specifically mentioned, this BBC London news page could potentially offer updates or related reports on significant events like this in the London area.
- https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14555145/Woman-arrested-body-newborn-baby-boy-church-Notting-Hill.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.mylondon.news/news/west-london-news/woman-arrested-after-babys-body-31320552 – Please view link – unable to able to access data
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative reports a recent event with specific dates (e.g., March 25), indicating freshness. However, no ongoing updates are mentioned post the initial incident.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
Quotes from Superintendent Owen Renowden and Marcia Haynes are included, but no earlier sources of these exact quotes could be found online. This suggests they might be original to this report.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Daily Mail, a widely recognized publication. While it may have biases, its reports are generally acknowledged as establishing basic facts, though scrutiny is necessary.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The event described involves a tragic and plausible scenario given the details and context of the police investigation. Lack of additional evidence does not necessarily indicate implausibility.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative is well-supported by specific details and recent events, but critical evaluation is necessary given the source’s potential biases and the serious nature of the claims.
