Baby 'Lara' finally laid to rest

Police reconstructed the concrete block in 2003

A baby whose body was found entombed in a concrete block, where it had lain for 15 years, is to be given a proper burial within the next few days.

A coroner on Monday recorded a verdict of unlawful killing on the child, found near Workington, Cumbria, in 2002.

The baby, whom police called Lara, had been beaten and may have been sexually abused before being entombed alive.

She will be buried as an unidentified female infant, but Cumbria Police said the inquiry into her death would go on.

This child has become our child... we care for that child albeit just tissues and bone Andy Carter, Cumbria Constabulary

The baby, aged four to six months, lay undiscovered until the block was smashed open in a garage in Barepot in 2002.

A post-mortem examination showed she had suffered a fractured skull, bruising to the abdomen and an untreated abscess in the mouth which had cracked the bone.

Det Ch Insp Andy Carter said: "This young girl suffered considerably during her life."

He said his officers had dedicated themselves to the case: "This child has become our child - Cumbria Constabulary's child.

"We care for that child albeit just tissues and bone and we feel we have done our best for that child.

'Forensic science'

"She went through a horrific short life and we have set ourselves the goal of putting that right and caring for her as she is in her current state."

Detectives investigating the case found a DNA link between the baby and Anne Chadwick who lived with her ex-husband Philip only 100 yards from where the youngster's body was discovered.

The pair were arrested last year after tests revealed Mrs Chadwick could be the baby's mother or sister.

But the couple, from Droitwich Spa in Worcestershire, were released without charge.

Research then strongly suggested the baby was the daughter of Mrs Chadwick's parents, Joe and Sheila Thwaites, who have since died.

Mr Carter said he was "supremely confident" in the DNA evidence, but said: "I am not suggesting Sheila, Joseph or any member of the family caused those injuries.

"An inquiry like this never ends. We need to make plans for any future breakthrough in forensic sciences to ensure we are in the position to have tests carried out."