A massive search operation is underway to locate a two-month-old baby who has been missing since its parents, aristocrat Constance Marten and her sex offender boyfriend Mark Gordon, were arrested in Brighton, England. The couple, who have been evading police since the infant’s birth in early January, were finally taken into custody on Monday evening after a tip-off from a member of the public. However, the baby was not found with them, prompting a desperate search for the infant.
Detective Superintendent Lewis Basford, leading the investigation, described the search area as “vast” and appealed to the public to be vigilant in their surroundings, particularly in open land and outbuildings. The couple’s erratic behavior, which included traveling long distances and using cash to pay for everything, has made it challenging for authorities to track their movements. They were seen in Newhaven a few days ago, and police are focusing on the area where they were arrested, which is close to open land.
Marten, 35, is from a wealthy aristocratic family, and she and Gordon, 48, have been on the run since their car was found burning on the M61 in Bolton, Greater Manchester, on January 5th. The couple traveled extensively, using taxis to move around the UK, and spent time sleeping rough in a blue tent. Gordon has a criminal record, having served 20 years in prison in the US for rape and battery committed when he was 14.
Mark Gordon and Constance Marten
The couple’s isolationist lifestyle has raised concerns about the baby’s welfare, with detectives urging them to bring the infant in for medical checks. Shereen Nimmo, director of midwifery for Barts Health NHS Trust, appealed to the couple in an earlier statement, saying that their failure to access medical care was putting the baby’s life at risk. She emphasized the importance of safe sleeping practices to prevent sudden infant death syndrome.
The police investigation has been ongoing for weeks, with over 50 officers working on the case at any one time. More than 630 hours of CCTV footage have been viewed, and over 350 calls have been received from the public with information. Anyone who may be able to assist in the search for the couple’s baby is urged to contact 999.
