Baby’s skeleton found under floorboards by construction workers

Police are investigating after construction workers made a horrific discovery at a house in Bishop Auckland.

The skeletal remains of a baby were found under the floorboards in an upstairs room of a house under renovation on Monday morning.

The body is being removed from the house in Fore Bondgate this afternoon and Durham Constabulary will then conduct a full search of the home.

Detective Chief Inspector Mel Sutherland said: ‘Our investigations are at an early stage.

‘Obviously, this is a sensitive enquiry and at this point we remain open-minded as to the circumstances surrounding the death.’

Forensic analysts, including an expert anthropologist, have been brought in to examine the skeleton to figure out how old the baby was at the time of death, and how long the remains have been in place.

A post mortem examination and CT scan are scheduled for later this week to determine the cause of death.

Detectives from Durham Constabulary have started tracing previous residents of the property.

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