Woman, 54, is charged with murder of baby 'Callum' whose body was found in ... trends now By Taryn Pedler Published: 20:40 BST, 15 April 2024 | Updated: 20:48 BST, 15 April 2024 A woman has been charged with the murder of baby 'Callum' whose body was discovered in woodland in Warrington in 1998. Joanne Sharkey, 54, of West Derby, Liverpool, was today charged by Cheshire Police after she and another man were arrested in July 2023. She has been remanded in custody and is set to appear at Warrington Magistrates' Court on Tuesday. The man who was arrested as part of the investigation has since been released without charge. Officers are not looking for anyone else in relation to the death. The unidentified baby boy's body was discovered in a black bin bag by a dog walker in a woodland (pictured) near the theme park in Warrington, Cheshire, on March 14, 1998. Joanne Sharkey, 54, has been charged with his murder A post mortem examination confirmed that 'Callum' been strangled and beaten around the head and was just hours old when he died The coffin bearing the body of abandoned baby Callum found strangled shortly after his birth lies in St Elphin's parish church Baby 'Callum' was found strangled to death near a theme park in the Callands area of Warrington in March 1998. The unidentified baby boy's body was discovered in a bin bag by a dog walker in a woodland near Gulliver's World. A post mortem tragically confirmed that he had been strangled and beaten around the head and was just hours old when he died. The parents of the baby, who was eventually named Callum by officers after the Callands area of the town where he was discovered, were never found and his true identity remains a mystery. But in July, Cheshire Police confirmed two people, both from Liverpool, had been arrested on suspicion of his murder. Detective Inspector Hannah Friend said at the time: 'I understand that this is an extremely emotional case which has attracted a lot of attention over the past 25 years, however I would ask people not to speculate. Four months after his tiny body was discovered, baby Callum was laid to rest in a tiny white coffin following a moving ceremony at St Elphin's Church in the town The funeral of baby Callum where more than 150 people - including the town's mayor - paid their respects 'Enquiries remain ongoing, and we will not be releasing further information at this time.' The discovery sparked a massive police probe that saw thousands of people interviewed and a special hotline number set up for anyone offering information. The DNA of nearly 500 women was tested during the police probe, including that of many schoolgirls, but these tests failed to find a match. Thousands more people were interviewed to assist the investigation. Four months after his body was discovered, Callum was laid to rest in a white coffin following a moving ceremony at St Elphin's Church in the town. Locals rallied to raise £888 to pay for a headstone that was used when he was buried at Warrington Cemetery. It was inscribed: 'Baby Callum, precious child of God. Laid to rest July 27, 1998. With love, from the people of Warrington.' More than 150 people – including the town's mayor – paid their respects before he was buried in a small grave, surrounded by flowers and children's toys. Detective Chief Inspector John Hester, who led the investigation, once described the case as 'one of the most disturbing' of his career. He said at the time: 'He was a small, defenceless baby who didn't really have a chance of survival.' Share or comment on this article: Woman, 54, is charged with murder of baby 'Callum' whose body was found in woodland in 1998 All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility