Inquests examine two baby deaths in Caerphilly county

A stillborn baby boy was abandoned by his mother in an alley behind a Caerphilly shop, an inquest has heard.

The baby was discovered by the store owner's 15-year-old son after being left in a carrier bag in the lane.

The inquest heard that a number of people had seen the bag behind a general store in Newport Road, Cwmcarn, on 18 March.

A verdict of stillbirth was recorded by coroner David Bowen at Newport Coroner's Court.

The inquest heard that employees brought the baby into the shop and attempted to revive him but were unsuccessful.

In written evidence read out in court, Det Sgt Justin O'Keefe of Gwent Police said: "It appears the baby had been abandoned much earlier that day."

The inquest heard how police officers named the baby Patrick because he was discovered the day after St Patrick's Day.

Det Sgt O'Keefe said the baby's mother had been arrested and bailed.

"She admitted leaving the baby and claimed the infant was stillborn," he said.

Dr Stephen Leadbeatter, who conducted the post-mortem examination, said there was no evidence to the contrary.

Shopkeeper Gursewak Singh, 39, said he saw the carrier bag near the back of his shop but thought it was gym kit belonging to one of the patrons of the nearby boxing club.

A second inquest in Newport heard how a council worker discovered the decomposing body of a baby in an attic in Pengam, Caerphilly.

The discovery was made last September but the body could have been in the attic for more than a year, the inquest was told.

A labourer found the baby among plastic bags and boxes as he was clearing the attic of a repossessed house.

DC Ian Thomas told the inquest that following the discovery, a former tenant handed herself in to police.

She claimed the baby was stillborn and said she had concealed her pregnancy as she wanted to hide it from her family and friends.

The post mortem examination was unable to determine the cause of death and Mr Bowen recorded an open verdict.