'Painful' end for entombed baby

Police reconstructed the block in which the baby was found

A baby girl found encased in a block of concrete would have led a "distressing and painful" life before she died, police have said.

Officers from Cumbria Police told a news conference on Wednesday about the baby, given the name Lara and thought to be aged between four and six months when she died.

Police said the little girl was suffering from a painful, untreated, gum abscess when she died.

And Detective Chief Inspector Andy Carter said murder had not been ruled out in the investigation.

Lara's remains were found on 11 September, 2002, in a free-standing block of concrete, dumped among rubbish in a derelict garage in the tiny hamlet of Barepot, near Workington, Cumbria.

The remains were then discovered after the block, weighing more than three stones, was smashed following attempts to move it.

Lara had a miserable existence in her short life and there has been an attempt to conceal the body Detective Chief Inspector Andy Carter, Cumbria Police

A reconstruction of the 12ins by 9ins by 7ins block was on display at Workington police station as detectives revealed the distressing short life Lara would have experienced.

Mr Carter, leading the inquiry, said: "Lara suffered from an abscess in her upper gum which was left untreated.

"This type of infection would have caused her extreme pain. Lara would have been extremely distressed.

"People living close to her would have heard her crying in agony."

Mr Carter said psychologists have been consulted for a profile on Lara's parents.

He said the inquiry team could not rule out the possibility that Lara was murdered and an attempt was made to hide the body.

He said: "There's been a concerted effort to attempt to ensure that this child was never, ever found.

"Lara had a miserable existence in her short life and there has been an attempt to conceal the body."

Experts believe Lara died sometime between 1990 and 1992.

Funeral arrangements

Detective Inspector Paul Smith said it was believed the concrete block was dumped elsewhere before it found its way to the derelict garage.

There was evidence that the garage was broken into in 1995, he said.

The concrete block Lara was discovered in has also been analysed, and was probably made by someone with knowledge of the building trade.

Analysis of the concrete also revealed it was most likely to have been made in the Workington area.

About 15 scientists have been helping detectives and the possibility of carrying out DNA tests on people in the area has not been ruled out.

Mr Carter added that consultations will shortly begin with the coroner to discuss Lara's funeral.

He said: "We will arrange a proper funeral for her and she will be laid to rest."