A woman has vehemently denied the murder of a baby boy known as “Baby Callum”, who was tragically discovered in woodland near Gulliver’s World in Warrington, more than 26 years ago, on March 14, 1998. It was believed that he was only hours old when he sadly passed away.
Joanne Sharkey of Denham Close in Croxteth, stood accused of murdering this innocent child and concealing his birth in April this year, charges she faced in Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday afternoon. Clad entirely in black, and her light brown hair held back with a clip, Sharkey spoke during the proceedings to confirm her name before entering pleas of not guilty for both charges.
The 54-year-old woman sat quietly in the dock, her head bowed throughout much of the short courtroom session, prepping herself to face a four-week trial slated to commence on January 14 of the coming year. She was granted conditional bail till a pre-trial review scheduled on October 18 by the Honorary Recorder of Liverpool, Judge Andrew Menary KC.
“Baby Callum”, named after the Callands region in Cheshire where he was found barely weighing 7lb8oz, had been cruelly discarded in a black plastic bag. He was stumbled upon by a dog walker close to the theme park, sparking an intensely thorough investigation for justice that led to nearly 500 women, including several young girls, having their DNA tested.
Thousands more women were interrogated as part of the enquiry and town residents arranged a funeral service attended by around 150 people, including the Mayor of Warrington, reports the Liverpool Echo.
In a touching ceremony at St Elphin’s Church followed by a burial in Warrington Cemetery, little Callum was encased in a white coffin surrounded by flowers and children’s toys. His gravestone, funded by the generosity of the general public, reads: “Baby Callum, precious child of God.”
“Laid to rest July 27, 1998. With love, from the people of Warrington.”
In a significant development last year, Cheshire Police apprehended a man and a woman pertaining to Baby Callum’s case. They were later released on bail.
However, Sharkey faced another arrest in April under suspicion of murder while the man was let go without any charges.
Detective Inspector Hannah Friend, part of the major crime review team, stressed earlier that: “I understand that this is an extremely emotional case which has attracted a lot of attention over the past 26 years. However, I would ask people not to speculate.”
“Criminal proceedings are now active against Joanne Sharkey and she has the right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”
