The couple, whose disappearance prompted a nationwide manhunt in England, were ordered to remain in custody on Friday after evidence presented during a court hearing showed that baby remains were found in a garden shed not far from where the couple was finally found.
Constance Marten, 35, and Mark Gordon, 48, are accused of rudeness reckless manslaughter, hiding the birth of a child and perverting the course of justice. They first appeared in court on Friday at Crawley Magistrates’ Court, about 48km south of London.
The couple spoke only to confirm their names, dates of birth and that neither had a permanent address. Throughout the hearing, Gordon had a gray sweater on his head. Their next court appearance is set for March 31st at the Central London Criminal Court.
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Constance Marten, 35, and Mark Gordon, 48, are charged with gross negligent manslaughter, concealing the birth of a child and obstruction of justice. Gordon was brought to Crawley Police Station on March 3, 2023. (Andrew Matthews/PA Images via Getty Images)
Marten and Gordon were arrested on Monday in Brighton. south coast of England. Authorities have been looking for them since January. 5 when their burning car was found next to a highway in the northwest of England. Marten was believed to have given birth shortly before her disappearance.
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The baby’s body was found under diapers in a plastic bag found in a garden shed north of Brighton, authorities said during a hearing on Friday. The gruesome discovery follows a two-day search of hundreds of police officers with search and rescue teams, dogs, drones and thermal imaging cameras. Authorities have not yet determined the cause of death or the baby’s gender.
Gross negligent manslaughter involves negligent conduct that a reasonable person should have understood, posing an obvious risk of death to someone to whom he was obliged to show concern.