A newborn baby who was found dead in a Sheffield property died from stab wounds, police said.
A murder investigation was launched after the baby girl was found dead in the Wincobank area of Sheffield on Sunday.
Officers received reports of concern for the safety of a baby at 5.58am, South Yorkshire Police said.
They searched a property on Holywell Heights where the baby girl was found.
Despite the best efforts of officers and paramedics, the baby was pronounced dead at the scene, the force said.
Police said a forensic post-mortem examination on Tuesday had found that the baby girl died as a result of stab wounds.
Seven people aged between 15 and 38 were arrested on suspicion of murder.
Two of them, aged 26 and 37, have since been bailed.
A force spokesman said detectives had obtained a warrant to extend the time the remaining five people can be held in custody.
Detective Chief Inspector Tom Woodward said: “We recognise this is deeply distressing for those who would have loved to have a chance to love this baby girl, for the emergency services who responded and for the community who will inevitably be shocked by this incident.
“Everyone involved in responding to this tragedy – from the first officers and paramedics on the scene to the detectives now leading the investigation – has felt the profound impact of this investigation.
“Our commitment to this little girl is unwavering.
“We will confront every difficult and distressing challenge and pursue every line of inquiry with determination and care to secure justice for her.
“We know the local community will hold her in their thoughts and support us as we work through this complex investigation.”
Police and specialist search officers will continue to conduct enquiries around the Wincobank area.
Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Emma Knight said on Sunday: “We are aware news of this will be deeply concerning and I want to reassure our local communities that we have a dedicated team of detectives and officers hard at work to ensure justice is secured for the baby girl at the heart of this investigation.”
She added: “Our investigation is in its early stages and we would like to remind people to avoid speculating about this incident.”
Anyone with any information about this incident which could assist the investigation is asked to contact the force online or call 101, quoting incident number 194 of 30 August 2026.
