Placenta found in Southampton is human, police say

They're renewing an urgent appeal for the mother to come forward

Author: Ryan BurrowsPublished 26th Jun 2023

Police are renewing an urgent appeal after preliminary findings indicated that a placenta found in Southampton last week is a human one.

The discovery was made in Holly Brook Park, close to Southampton General Hospital, on Wednesday morning (June 21st).

Hampshire Police are continuing to appeal to the person who may have given birth without support to make contact with either police or the NHS.

Southampton Chief Inspector Marcus Kennedy said:

"Now that we have preliminary findings that indicate this discovery to be a human placenta, we remain increasingly concerned for the welfare of the mother and the child.

"I understand that this must be a very distressing time for you and that you may be frightened, but we want to make sure you are getting the right help and care, so please get in touch with us.

"We would also like to speak with anyone who has any concerns about someone who has recently been pregnant, that you think may have been pregnant or may have given birth recently without support."

He also confirmed that officers will remain in the area of Holly Brook Park for now.

Anyone with information should call 101, quoting reference incident 1723 of 25/06/23 or report online, quoting Operation Holdo.

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