Woman Charged with Murder of Baby Found in Woodland 26 Years Ago: 'Extremely Emotional Case'

A woman has been charged with murder in connection with the death of a baby who was found in a woodland area 26 years ago. 

The infant — known as “Baby Callum" — was found in Warrington, England in March 1998.

“In July 2023 police arrested a man and a woman from Liverpool in relation to the incident, the pair were subsequently released on bail,” Cheshire Police said in a press release. “Today, Monday 15 April 2024, police rearrested the 54-year-old woman and the Crown Prosecution Service has now authorized Cheshire Police to charge Joanne Sharkey, of West Derby, in Liverpool with murder.”

Sharkey appeared at Warrington Magistrates’ Court on April 16. According to local media outlet the Liverpool Echo, Sharkey spoke only to confirm her name, address and date of birth. She will appear at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday, April 18.

The man who was arrested as part of the investigation has since been released without charge, per the release.

“Officers are not looking for anyone else in relation to the death,” the release added.

Detective Inspector Hannah Friend, of Cheshire Police’s major crime review team, said in a statement, “I understand that this is an extremely emotional case which has attracted a lot of attention over the past twenty-six 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,” Friend continued. “It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. 

According to The Guardian, detectives named the baby boy Callum after the Callands area of Warrington where he was found dead as his identity could not be confirmed.

The infant was buried in Warrington Cemetery a few months later, per the outlet, after local residents arranged a burial and funeral service for him. 

His headstone, paid for by local residents, was also inscribed with the words, “Baby Callum, precious child of God. Laid to rest July 27, 1998. With love, from the people of Warrington.”