Inquest into death of baby found under floodboards in Bishop Auckland to continue later this year
An inquest had been due to conclude today, but the coroner needs to hear from more witnesses in the case
A coroner will hear from a radio-carbon dating expert at the inquest for an unknown baby who was found wrapped in a newspaper dating back to 1910.
The newborn boy’s skeleton was discovered by workmen under floorboards at a property in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, in 2024, and a police investigation was launched.
Twine was found around the infant’s neck and he had been wrapped in a newspaper called The Umpire.
A post-mortem examination revealed the baby was male and carbon dating confirmed that he was born before 1955, but no cause of death could be established.
An inquest had been due to conclude in Crook, County Durham, on Monday but coroner Crispin Oliver stated he needed to hear from three witnesses – from the police investigation, the post-mortem and a radio-carbon dating expert.
That will now take place on September 17.
Mr Oliver said the questions of who the deceased was, where they died, when they died and how were all to be considered.
Police named the infant Baby Auckland and a funeral was held last month with the remains buried in a small white casket.
After the funeral, Cathy Hunt, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for children and young people’s services, said: “Sadly, for reasons we will never know, this little boy was never given the dignified and appropriate burial he deserved, so it was important that he was laid to rest in a way that honoured a life that could have been.”