Police Ask Mourners To Attend Funeral Of Unidentified Baby Found On Pathway

A stillborn baby found on a footpath in Oxford earlier this year will be laid to rest on October 18.  The baby girl, who has been named Raihana, meaning 'heaven's flower' by Thames Valley Police to reflect her south-east Asian ethnicity, was found dead in a black bag on the footpath in the town of Marston one morning last February. The coroner confirmed there was no signs of any injury and the infant's umbilical chord was still attached, meaning it's likely she was stillborn. Detective Inspector Jim Holmes said:

“Our priority has been to trace the baby girl’s mother to ensure she receives emotional and medical support. She is not in any trouble and our door continues to be open to her if she feels able to come forward. “We also made an appeal to her to come forward to let us know what her baby’s name is. Sadly she has not felt able to do this and we have therefore named the baby Raihana. “We have worked closely with staff from Oxford City Council who have arranged a funeral service. This is to ensure that Raihana is laid to rest in a respectful way."

Despite numerous appeals, the child's mother has not come forward and DI Holmes has now issued an emotional appeal for mourners to attend the child's funeral. The service will take place at Wolvercote cemetery at 1pm on October 18.