Police are investigating the discovery of a dead infant, found this morning in a “mummified condition” near a Hamilton Parish graveyard.

A spokesman has said that at around 11.20am, officers received a report that a landscaper working in the Trinity Church Road are had discovered what appeared to be a lifeless child.

Assistant Commissioner Antoine Daniels said this afternoon that officers from the Forensic Support Unit and Criminal Investigation Unit have begun an investigation, adding that the body appeared to be in a “mummified condition”.

“A medical practitioner attended the scene and confirmed that the body appeared to be of an infant male,” Mr Daniels said. “A forensic examination was conducted of the scene and a comprehensive search made of the immediate area seeking any additional information that could assist police officers with their initial investigations.

“I wish to reassure the Bermuda community that we are conducting enquiries into the discovery of the baby remains found in Hamilton Parish today, however based on the information gathered thus far this death does not appear to be suspicious.

“In recent weeks there has been extensive maintenance being carried out at this particular grave site resulting in a number of tombs being refurbished. The baby was found in a mummified condition, fully disinterred and appears to have a medical band of some type around his wrist.”

Mr Daniels said police are in the process of speaking to contractors who conducted renovations at the grave site, members of the various churches linked to the grave site and officials at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital

“An autopsy will be conducted in the near future in an effort to ascertain the cause of death,” he added. “Police are interested in speaking with anyone who has any knowledge of this incident and in particular anyone who has any knowledge regarding the medical treatment and/or burial of an infant in recent months, is asked to contact Inspector Mark Clarke of the Vulnerable Persons Unit on telephone number 295-0011.”