Baby girl's body found washed up on shoreline is DNA tested in bid to trace parents - as police beg for mother of 'Ceri' to come forward

A baby girl whose body was found washed up on a Welsh shoreline has been named Ceri by authorities, as the search for her mother continues.

The infant's remains were discovered by a member of the public near Siliwen Road in Bangor, Gwynedd on the afternoon of Sunday, September 27.

A post-mortem examination on her indicated she may have been in the water for weeks, police said, with officers now working with experts to establish what happened to her and who her parents are. 

On Thursday, North Wales Police confirmed she had been given the name Ceri. Superintendent Llinos Daves appealed to members of the public for information as the force remains 'determined to get answers' for her. 

Superintendent Daves said: 'All possible lines of inquiry are being followed, and we are awaiting results from several specialist tests, which we hope may provide us with new avenues to explore.

'I continue to appeal to dog walkers and other residents who have regularly walked in the Ashley Fields areas of Bangor since August 30 to contact us.

'Additionally, we are asking for any photos or videos taken in and around the Menai Straits shoreline in Siliwen within the same timeframe to be uploaded to the major incident public portal.'

A dedicated phoneline has also been set up for Ceri's mother to get in touch by calling or texting.

Fiona Giraud, the director of midwifery and women's services for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, appealed directly to her mother. She said: 'You may not have felt confident to come forward yet, but please know that we have specialists ready to support you, no matter what the circumstances are, please get in touch.

'Please, if you are seeing this message, call or text 07974 241223.

'When you call, you will speak directly to a trained specialist whose role is simply to listen and help.

'This is not a conversation you need to be afraid of. You will be treated with compassion, dignity and respect.'

Police are also appealing for anyone in the community who has had concerns for a woman or girl in recent months to get in touch.

Superintendent Daves added: 'We are not asking anyone to make assumptions or accusations.

'Something that appears insignificant or has an entirely innocent explanation may nevertheless be crucial to finding the truth for baby Ceri.'

Members of the public can get in touch with police by calling 101, quoting Operation Melex, or through the Major Incident Public Portal at https://mipp.police.uk/operation/60NWP26G07-PO1.