Woman, 54, appears in court accused of killing baby found in forest in 1998

A woman has appeared in court, charged with the murder of a baby who was discovered in the woods 26 years ago.

Baby ‘Callum’ was discovered near Gulliver’s World theme park in Warrington in March 1998.

Joanne Sharkey, 54, of West Derby, Liverpool, appeared at Warrington Magistrates’ Court today charged with murder and concealing the birth of a child.

Wearing a brown sweatshirt and with brown hair tied back in a short ponytail, she spoke only to confirm her name, date of birth and address and appeared to be shaking as she stood in the dock.

The defendant, of Denham Close, was remanded in custody and will appear at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday.

The picture shows the funeral procession for baby Callum after he was found in a forest in March 1998

The picture shows the little coffin baby Callum was laid to rest in during the funeral in 1998

Chief Justice Fraser Geekie said: “These cases are too serious for this court to deal with.”

The hearing lasted three minutes.

Sharkey was arrested in July 2023 along with a man who has since been released without charge, Cheshire Police said.

Detectives named the infant Callum after the Callands area of ​​Warrington where he was found dead as his true identity could not be confirmed.

A funeral service was organized by local people and he was buried in Warrington Cemetery a few months later.

The headstone, which was paid for with money raised by local residents, was inscribed: ‘Baby Callum, precious child of God. Laid to rest July 27, 1998. With love from the people of Warrington.’

Detective Inspector Hannah Friend, from Cheshire Police’s major crime assessment team, said: ‘I understand this is an extremely emotional case which has attracted a lot of attention over the last 26 years, but I would ask people not to speculate.

‘Criminal proceedings are now active against Joanne Sharkey and she is entitled to a fair trial.’