Police release composite photo to locate mother of dead baby

Saskatoon police have turned to science to help identify the mother of a baby girl found dead in November.

The remains of the newborn were found in a bag in a downtown recycling bin off 25th Street. At the time, police said the mother may have been in a vulnerable state and were concerned for her well-being.

In hopes of finding her, Saskatoon police sent DNA found in the bag to a U.S.-based firm which specializes in creating human images using DNA.

It is the first time Saskatoon police have used the technology.

“It was a $4,000 cost. That cost is consistent with the cost of this technology and any of our DNA submissions,” Insp. Dale Solie explained during a media conference Friday.

The decision to try this process came after Calgary police successfully closed a similar case using a generated photo, according to Solie.

“Based on their experiences and our knowledge of the process itself, we’re confident with our results with Parabon Labs,” Solie said.

He hopes the image will bring in new information leading to the baby’s mother.

“Our stress here is the mother, and we’re concerned and trying to identify who she is so we can get her some help,” he said.

At this time, Solie said there is no criminal element to this investigation.

Anyone with information on the mother’s identity can call Saskatoon Police at 306-975-8300 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.