Key Points
- The North Wales Police have named the body of an infant girl recently discovered in the Menai Strait beach at Bangor as Ceri.
- The body of the infant was discovered by a member of the public near Siliwen Road, Bangor, Gwynedd, just minutes before 17:00 BST on Sunday, 27 September.
- According to a post-mortem report, the infant could have been in the water for several weeks.
- The police have appealed to the mother of the child to come forward and have set up a special call and text line for the same.
- The police have appealed to dog walkers and local residents who visited the Ashley Fields area since 30 August to give any information.
- Police are looking for photographs and videos of the Menai Strait beach in Siliwen from 30 August till 27 September.
- Superintendent Llinos Davies has said that results of specialist tests could help in getting new lines of investigation.
- Fiona Giraud, the director of midwifery and women’s services of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, has appealed to the mother of the baby herself.
- People can contact the police on 101, mentioning Operation Melex, or give information via the Major Incident Public Portal.
Bangor Police (Wales Times) October 15, 2026 – North uk/police/">Wales Police have named a newborn baby girl whose body was found on the Menai Strait shoreline as Ceri, as detectives continue to appeal for her mother to come forward.
The infant’s body was discovered by a member of the public on the shoreline near Siliwen Road in Bangor shortly before 17:00 BST on Sunday, 27 September. As reported by the BBC, a post-mortem examination indicated that the newborn may have been in the water for up to a few weeks.
North Wales Police said the name Ceri has been given to the baby as investigators work to establish what happened to her and identify her parents. In a statement published by the force, officers said work was ongoing with several experts across the country.
What have police said about baby Ceri?
Superintendent Llinos Davies said the force remained determined to establish the circumstances of the baby’s death. As reported by the BBC, she said: “We remain determined to get answers for baby Ceri.”
“All possible lines of enquiry are being followed, and we are awaiting results from several specialist tests, which we hope may provide us with new avenues to explore,” Davies said, according to the BBC.
The North Wales Chronicle also quoted Davies making the same appeal, saying police were continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death after the baby girl’s body was discovered on the Bangor coastline.
Why are police appealing for the mother?
Police are directly appealing to Ceri’s mother to contact them, saying she may be extremely vulnerable and may need specialist support. In an earlier report, the BBC said North Wales Police had urged the mother, who had not been identified, to come forward.
A dedicated phone line has been established for the mother to call or text. According to the North Wales Chronicle, the number is 07974 241223, and police said it is to be used strictly by the mother to seek specialist help.
As reported by the BBC, Davies said a trained specialist whose role was “simply to listen, understand and help” would speak to the mother. She added:
“This is not a conversation you need to be afraid of. You will be treated with compassion, dignity and respect.”
Fiona Giraud, director of midwifery and women’s services at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, also appealed directly to the mother to come forward, the BBC reported.
What information do police want from the public?
Officers are asking anyone who regularly walked in the Ashley Fields area of Bangor since 30 August to come forward. The BBC reported that the appeal includes dog walkers and other residents who may have been in the area during the relevant period.
Police are also asking people to upload photographs or video footage taken in and around the Menai Strait shoreline in Siliwen between 30 August and 27 September. The footage can be submitted through North Wales Police’s Major Incident Public Portal.
The force said it was not asking members of the public to make assumptions or accusations. As reported by the BBC, Davies said:
“Something that appears insignificant or has an entirely innocent explanation may nevertheless be crucial to finding the truth for baby Ceri.”
How can people contact North Wales Police?
Anyone with information or immediate concerns has been asked to contact North Wales Police on 101, quoting Operation Melex. The North Wales Chronicle reported that information can also be submitted online through the force’s Major Incident Public Portal.
The investigation was previously covered by ITV Wales, which reported that extensive searches were under way to locate the mother after the discovery was reported by a member of the public.
Detective Sergeant Kelly Wynne had earlier appealed to the baby’s father and to anyone who may know the identity of the mother, according to AOL’s report of the initial police appeal.
Background of the development
The discovery was first reported on 27 September, when a member of the public contacted police after finding the body of a newborn baby on the shoreline near Siliwen Road, Bangor. ITV Wales reported that North Wales Police confirmed the discovery and launched an urgent appeal.
On 1 October, the BBC reported that a post-mortem examination had confirmed the baby was a girl and that she may have been in the water for up to a few weeks.
Two days later, on 3 October, the BBC reported that police had set up a special phone line for the mother and appealed to the father, friends, family, neighbours and colleagues who may have information. Superintendent Davies said police were concerned that the mother may not be in a position to reach out for support.
The latest development, reported on 15 October, is that police have named the baby Ceri while continuing their appeal for information. The North Wales Chronicle, North Wales Live and WalesOnline also covered the naming and the renewed public appeal.
Prediction: How this may affect the Bangor community
For residents of Bangor, particularly those who use the Siliwen Road, Ashley Fields and Menai Strait shoreline areas, the investigation is likely to mean continued police requests for information, footage and witness accounts. People who regularly walked in those locations since 30 August may be contacted or asked to review photographs and videos from the period.
For parents, carers and local health workers, the case may increase awareness of the support available to pregnant women and new mothers in crisis. The direct appeal from North Wales Police and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board indicates that authorities are prioritising both the investigation and the welfare of Ceri’s mother.
For the wider North Wales community, the naming of baby Ceri may encourage people with previously unreported concerns about a woman or girl to contact police. The force has stressed that even information which seems insignificant could assist investigators, meaning local residents may play an important role in helping establish what happened.
