£10K Reward Offered to Find Missing Family with Newborn
Police are working round the clock to find Constance Marten, 35, Mark Gordon, 48, and their newborn baby. Authorities are desperate for any sightings and have now dangled a £10,000 reward to anyone who helps locate the family.
Concern Grows Over Baby’s Welfare
Detective Superintendent Lewis Basford, leading the search, warned of the serious risks facing the newborn. “We are extremely concerned about the health and wellbeing of the baby,” he said. “The baby has had no medical care and has been on the move for almost a month, possibly exposed to freezing temperatures. Constance recently gave birth and has had no medical attention. We fear for all three – they have been constantly moving, awake for days, which is exhausting.”
Basford urged the public: “If you have seen them – maybe wandering streets, asking for directions, or even getting into your taxi – speak up now. You won’t be in trouble for helping them. Doing the right thing could save a vulnerable infant’s life.”
Last Seen in East Sussex with Camping Gear
Detectives have traced the family to Newhaven, East Sussex. They were spotted in a taxi near the port at 4:56am on Sunday, 8 January, carrying bags containing a blue two-man tent, sleeping bags, and pillows bought from Argos the night before. This suggests they could be camping somewhere in the UK.
However, the family abandoned their pushchair the previous night in London’s Flower and Dean Walk. Police believe the baby was still with them when they reached Newhaven and think they have not left the UK.
Detailed Timeline of the Family’s Movements
- Thursday, 5 Jan: Police called to a car fire on M61 near Bolton. The family fled the vehicle safely but lost most belongings.
- Friday, 6 Jan: The family travelled by taxi from Manchester area to Harwich, Essex.
- Saturday, 7 Jan: Seen in Harwich and Colchester early morning, later spotted walking near East Ham Station and then on Whitechapel Road, London. Mark purchased camping gear from Argos at 6:19pm.
- Late night 7 Jan: Dumped the baby’s pushchair in Flower and Dean Walk, then took a taxi to Haringey.
- Early hours 8 Jan: Taxi from Haringey to Newhaven port, last official sighting.
Police Plea and How to Help
Detective Superintendent Basford asked everyone to be vigilant for camping gear, especially a blue tent, around beauty spots and waste ground. “Any scrap of information could help,” he added.
If you have information, call the incident room on 020 7175 0785. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. They never ask for your details and don’t track your device.
