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Mother's anguish as unborn baby stored

A woman who suffered a miscarriage has today spoken of her pain after being told her baby's remains had been kept in storage for nearly three years.

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The 21-year-old has instructed a legal firm to investigate after she was told by Walsall's Manor Hospital the baby boy she lost at around 14 weeks in April 2011 had been stored instead of being cremated.

It comes after bosses revealed there were 86 occasions where remains from miscarriages or terminations were kept for longer than they should have been.

See also: Scandal of the unborn babies kept for up to four years at Walsall Manor Hospital

Bosses have already apologised and say an investigation has been launched. The woman, of Bilston, said: "I saw something on Facebook about Walsall Manor Hospital having a large number of dead babies in storage from miscarriages between certain years. At first I thought it surely couldn't affect me because a nurse had told me over the phone after I lost my son that he would be cremated and his ashes would be scattered with dignity. But I had a niggling feeling so I decided to call the hospital later that day and I left my name and date of birth."

She said she 'dropped the phone in shock' when she was told and added: "I couldn't believe this was happening."

The woman added: "It has brought back all my thoughts and emotions from the time I had the miscarriage.

I feel constantly upset yet angry that it has taken so long for the issue to come to light."

Richard Kirby, Chief Executive at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust said: "I would like to apologise again to anyone who has been affected by this and am happy to work with this patient to answer any further questions she may have."

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