Child's body found at care home

Last Updated: Saturday, 23 February 2008, 18:50 GMT

Haut de la Garenne is now a Jersey youth hostel

Police briefing

Parts of a child's body have been found by police at a former children's home in Jersey.

Police believe more bodies may be found at Haut de la Garenne in St Martin, which is at the centre of an inquiry into alleged child abuse.

The remains are thought to date from the early 1980s but the police have not confirmed whether it was a boy or girl.

The investigation involves the abuse of boys and girls aged between 11 and 15, since the 1960s.

Jersey police began investigating allegations of abuse in November last year.

The investigation involves several government institutions and organisations in Jersey, with the Haute de la Garenne home and Jersey Sea Cadets the main focus of the inquiry.

I am frankly very apprehensive about what else they will find

Former Jersey Health Minister Senator Stuart Syvret

The search of the site began on Tuesday using sniffer dog and ground radar.
Jersey's Deputy Chief Police Officer, Lenny Harper, who is in charge of the investigation, said detectives "think there is the possibility they may find more remains".

Mr Harper said: "This morning just after 09.30 we discovered what appears to be the partial remains of a child.

"The status of the inquiry obviously has now changed."

He told a news conference: "We're in close touch with more specialist assistance from the UK.

"As I said the status of the inquiry has now changed to a potential major crime inquiry concerning a possible homicide."

'Get in touch'
Former Jersey Health Minister Senator Stuart Syvret urged anyone who was at Haut de la Garenne to come forward.

His concerns last year about alleged child abuse in Jersey institutions led to an independent review of child care services by Jersey's parliament, the States of Jersey.
Mr Syvret told BBC News: "It's essential those with concerns call it, or get in touch with the police.
"Having spoken to people who were at Haut de la Garenne, this discovery is not surprising.

"I am frankly very apprehensive about what else they will find."

Haut de la Garenne started life in 1867 as the Industrial School, for "young people of the lower classes of society and neglected children".

It is now Jersey's Youth Hostel and featured as a police station in the TV series Bergerac.

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