Woman due in court after being charged with murder of newborn baby
The following is a joint statement from Avon and Somerset Police and the Crown Prosecution Service:
A 34-year-old woman has been charged with murder following an investigation into the death of a newborn baby.
Sarah Jayne Barron, of Weston-super-Mare, was charged in the early hours of this morning (Tuesday 4 October) with one count of murder. She is due to appear at Taunton Magistrates’ Court today.
It follows the discovery of the body of a newborn baby in a private garden in Weston-super-Mare on the morning of Saturday 12 December 2020.
A man, who’d previously been arrested in connection with this investigation has been released without charge, with no further action being taken against him.
Senior Investigating Officer Det Supt Gary Haskins, of the Major Crime Investigation Team (MCIT), said: “This is a significant development in what has been a complex and sensitive investigation. We know this update will impact on the local community where the incident happened, and we’d encourage anyone with concerns or worries to speak to their local Neighbourhood Policing team.
“We’ve worked closely with our colleagues at the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) throughout, resulting in the authorisation to charge a woman with one count of murder.”
Iain Jenkins, Senior Crown Prosecutor with the CPS South West Complex Casework Unit, said: “The CPS has authorised a charge of murder in relation to the death a newborn baby on 4 December 2020.
“The authority to charge follows a detailed investigation by the Avon and Somerset Major Crime Investigation Team, which has been supported by the CPS Complex Casework Unit. An extensive review of all the evidence led to us concluding that our legal tests to commence a prosecution were met.
“The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against the defendant are active and that they have the right to a fair trial. It is extremely important there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”