Joanne Sharkey admits to manslaughter in the 1998 death of “Baby Callum,” found near Gulliver’s World in Warrington.
Joanne Sharkey is from Liverpool. She was charged with murder last year, as well as hiding the birth. The woman, who is 56 years old, was scheduled for trial today in Liverpool Crown Court.
She pleaded guilty to manslaughter, due to diminished responsibility, a lesser charge. She also admitted to hiding the birth. The prosecution accepted these pleas instead and won’t pursue the murder charge now.
A representative from the CPS said the case was about a baby’s life ending too soon. That baby would be an adult now, and it’s sad to think of what he could have become. His death touched many people deeply.
They carefully reviewed reports and medical evidence. Sharkey’s mental state was not good, and it impaired her responsibility at the time, caused by a medical condition. This is why they accepted the manslaughter plea.
The CPS hopes the outcome brings some comfort, though it will never bring the baby back. Joanne Sharkey’s sentencing is set for March 21.
Baby Callum got his name from Callands, an area in Cheshire. He weighed just under 8 pounds. Someone walking their dog found him in a black plastic bag, by the theme park.
His death caused a large investigation. They tested DNA from almost 500 women, some of them schoolgirls. Police interviewed thousands of people. Residents held a funeral service for him, attended by about 150 people, including the mayor.
Callum was buried in Warrington Cemetery, laid to rest in a white coffin surrounded by flowers and toys. The ceremony was at St Elphin’s Church. People donated money for his headstone, which reads about him being a precious child.