Community event will honour baby found dead along Brantford trail 20 years ago

CTV News

25-07-2025

Police provided an undated photo of a memorial for Baby Parker. (Submitted/BPS)
Sunday marks a somber anniversary in the City of Brantford.
Twenty years ago, on July 28, 2005, a woman was walking with her dog on a trail near Dufferin Avenue and Parkside Drive when she discovered the body of a full-term baby, wrapped in a towel.
Officials named him Baby Parker because of his proximity to Parkside Drive.
Margaret Littlewood was the person who discovered his remains.
'I was so upset,' she told CTV News in 2016.
The baby's mother has never been identified, despite extensive efforts by the Brantford Police Service.
To mark the 20th anniversary of the discovery, Parker's Project is hosting a community walk.
The parent-led advocacy group said they are stepping up to act as the baby's family.
'Parker's Project began in 2017 with a simple, but powerful mission: to ensure that no parent ever feels so overwhelmed, isolated or unsupported that they believe they have no options,' a post on the group's Facebook page reads.
The remembrance walk begins at 10 a.m. at Mount Hope Cemetery – where Baby Parker was ultimately laid to rest.
Organizers said the walk will not only honour the infant but also raise awareness for maternal mental health.
Baby Parker search
Police investigate the discovery of a dead baby near Parkside Drive in Brantford in this file image from video taken in July 2005.
Investigation details
Following the discovery of Baby Parker's remains, Brantford Police conducted the largest canvass in service history.
'Hundreds of DNA samples were collected from members of the public living in the neighbourhood where Baby Parker was found,' they said in a 2023 release. 'The samples were sent to the Center of Forensic Sciences; however, none were found to have a biological link to Baby Parker.'
Several 'persons of interests' have been identified over the last two decades.
Police said all of them have been cleared as the child's potential parent.
On Aug. 3, 2005, less than a week after Baby Parker was found, investigators said they received a letter from a person who claimed to be the infant's mother.
Police released portions of the letter in hopes that someone would recognize the handwriting.
CTV Kitchener: Baby Parker cold case
'The letter, purportedly written by the mother of Baby Parker, indicated that she would be in contact with police in the coming days,' police said.
But no one ever came forward.
Brantford Police said Ontario Provincial Police were previously involved in the investigation, and even helped generate a profile of the mother. In 2005, the mother was believed to have been between 13 and 17 years old, with a connection to the Holmedale neighbourhood.
'The pregnancy was possibly kept secret by the mother from those close to her,' police said.
Continued appeal
Despite the passage of time, investigators said they remain committed to finding Baby Parker's mother, father or anyone else who can them close the case.
'Police continue to believe that there are members of the public who have information that will be beneficial to the case,' police said.
Baby Parker Gave 18 years July 2023
Baby Parker's headstone at Mount Hope Cemetery in Brantford decorated with birthday decor to mark the 18 years since his passing. (Stefanie Davis/CTV News)
They also believe the utilization of new investigative technology could 'help build a familial lineage to move the case forward.'
Anyone with any information related to the case of Baby Parker is asked to contact Det. Const. Chris Fleming at 519-756-7050, ext. 2851.
- With files from Heather Senoran