The tragic case of Baby Lilly, whose newborn body was found by the River Alne in Britain, came to a close today. From the Stratford Observer:

A JUDGE has sentenced the mother of a newborn found dumped in the River Alne to two years’ probation.

Rachel Davies, 26, of Wharrage Road, Alcester, had admitted at a hearing ahead of today’s sentencing at Warwick Crown Court to a charge of concealment of birth.

She said she had no idea she was pregnant until she went into labour one night in the home she shared with her parents. She told the court she gave birth whilst alone in the kitchen and panicked when the child, later named Baby Lilly by police, appeared lifeless.

Davies, who worked at Mothercare in Leamington at the time, put the baby’s body in her car overnight before calling work the next morning to say she was going to be late. She drove to Great Alne where she dumped Lilly in a plastic bag in the River Alne just off Wood Lane, sometime between January and May last year

A 13-year-old boy out walking with his family on May 11 2006 discovered the body along with blood-stained clothes and towels also in the bag.

Lilly had suffered significant injuries including a fractured skull and Warwickshire Police launched a murder inquiry. It was later discontinued when further evidence came to light suggesting the newborn had been stillborn.

More than six months later Davies was traced through Lilly’s father. She initially denied any involvement but DNA proved she was the baby’s mother.

I’m not sure why this case just stuck in my head for the past two years, but it did. There’s a fair bit of discussion on my original post from about a year ago.

So finally, at long last, closure.