A father of six who made a chilling discovery of a tiny infant’s skeletal remains beneath floorboards has opened up about the impact this disturbing find had on his mental well-being.

David Dent, a construction worker from Bishop Auckland, County Durham, stumbled upon a parcel wrapped in a newspaper dating back more than a century, believed to be the method used to conceal the baby’s body. Experts confirmed that the remains belonged to a newborn, estimated to be over 100 years old.

David, aged 42, has been dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) following the grim revelation and recounted the heartbreaking moment when the fragile body of the infant disintegrated in his hands.

In an interview with The Sun, David described how he uncovered a small skull after unwrapping the bundle found under the floorboards during renovations in Fore Bondgate. He shared his shock at the discovery, recalling how he saw a tiny arm and hand detach from the remains.

After contacting his wife, who advised him to inform the authorities, David handed over the remains to local law enforcement. He was initially instructed to keep the discovery confidential until the news broke that the remains belonged to a baby.

Struggling with PTSD in the months following the incident, David mentioned that his condition has gradually improved lately. He expressed relief that the infant, now named “Baby Auckland,” has been laid to rest in Bishop Auckland Town Cemetery.

An early inquest indicated that the child likely lived and died between 1726 and 1812, but Detective Chief Inspector Melvin Sutherland suggested that the baby’s lifespan was in 1910, as noted on the headstone. David expressed his intention to visit the grave and leave a teddy bear in memory of the child.

The inquest into the baby’s demise was postponed and is rescheduled for September 17.