A MUM who had three funerals for her baby has spoken of her "upset and frustration" in her search for the truth in her case.
Janine Aldridge, from Atherton, lost her baby Leah who died at five weeks on Christmas Day in 2002, after being shaken to death by her dad.
Andrew Ashurst was trying to settle Leah, who was suffering from a cold. He was later jailed for manslaughter.
After Leah’s death, human tissue samples were retained by Greater Manchester Police (GMP).
Despite being assured all tissue samples had been returned, due to later discussions, her mum Janine Aldridge had to have two further funerals.
In 2017, months after Janine held a second funeral for her daughter after GMP’s reassured her that no further organs had been found.
But after Janine requested Leah’s post-mortem examination results, Ms Aldridge discovered more samples of her daughter’s organs had been retained.
Ms Aldridge then held a third burial for her daughter but a full investigation has not been launched into her case despite the problems she has faced.
Mum-of-two Janine, 32, said: “It is upsetting and frustrating at the same time.
“I have no trust with the police that Leah’s organs have been returned.
“My main aim is to make sure that this does not happen again to other families.”
Flowers laid at Leah's resting place for her second burial
Despite having a meeting with Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham in November, Janine has been unimpressed with the lack of communication from his office.
She says she was also promised a family liaison officer but this has not happened either.
Bolton West and Atherton MP Chris Green raised the issue at the House of Commons on Monday.
He labelled the “significant lack of communication between GMP and the Mr Burnham as “absolutely appalling”.
A spokesman for the Greater Manchester Combined Authority said: “Contrary to Mr Green’s suggestion in the there has been ongoing communication with the family, including a meeting with the mayor.
“As soon as terms of reference are agreed an investigation will follow.
“The priority is that the Aldridge family get the answers they need.”
Janine has also reserved praise for her mum Lorraine Kidd and her friend Jill Orrell for their help in the investigation.
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