Baby found in river was unlawfully killed

LONDON, May 23 (Reuters) A newborn baby girl, whose body was found with serious head injuries in a river in central England was unlawfully killed, police said today.

The infant, given the name Lily by police, had been wrapped in a towel, placed in a white plastic bag and left in shallow water near Stratford, Warwickshire.

Detective Chief Inspector Adrian Pearson, of Warwickshire Police, said the girl was not hurt during birth. Walkers found her body on May 11.

''Lily was someone's granddaughter, she was someone's daughter,'' he told a news conference. ''She deserves to be returned to her family.'' A bag found nearby, containing women's pyjamas, underwear, socks and a few tea towels could provide a clue, he said.

Pearson appealed for anyone who knows the mother or who was at the scene in the village of Aston Cantlow on May 10 to come forward.

REUTERS SHR KP1156