A MOTHER and father who have been on the run since January have been arrested – but their newborn baby is still missing.
Aristocrat Constance Marten and her partner, Mark Gordon, were last night found by cops in Brighton after 54 days on the run following a tip-off – but the location of their infant is still unknown.
The couple were arrested on suspicion of child neglect at around 9.30pm on Monday evening and are currently being interviewed by police.
Speaking to Sky News, Detective Superintendent Lewis Basford said: "We are currently looking into all available areas that the baby could be in the open land. The search will include every facility in this location, going out into the open land to try and locate the baby."
Anyone who may be able to assist in the search for the couple’s baby is urged to contact 999.
Follow our Constance Marten and Mark Gordon live blog below…
- Henry Moore
Who are Constance Marten and Mark Gordon?
The daughter of Napier Martin, a former page to the Queen, and granddaughter of Mary Anna Marten, whose godmother was the Queen Mother, Constance Marten comes from a family of wealthy landowners.
Constance was deemed an 'it girl' when she appeared on upmarket mag Tatler's babe of the month page while she was a student in 2008.
It is believed that she paid for her time at drama school via a multi-million pound trust fund stored at C. Hoare & Co, the UK's oldest private bank.
However, she has reportedly led an isolated life since moving in with Gordon in 2016.
Detectives offered a £10,000 reward for information leading to the couple's whereabouts in January.
- Henry Moore
How old are Constance Marten and Mark Gordon?
Aristocrat Constance Marten and her partner Mark Gordon were last night found by cops in Brighton after 54 days on the run following a tip off on Monday evening – but the location of their infant remains unknown.
The new mum is 35, while Gordon is 48.
Police are urging anyone with information about their child's whereabouts to call 999.
- Henry Moore
Police launch 'huge' search for missing infant
Senior investigating officer Detective Superintendent Lewis Basford told BBC Breakfast that officers from the Metropolitan and Sussex police forces are searching a huge area of land to try to find the infant.
The couple are known to have travelled long distances during the time they have been missing and the BBC reported they were seen in Newhaven a few days ago.
Mr Basford said: "It is a vast area and at present we are looking in the local vicinity to where the couple were arrested last night, seeking a shelter or location for where they may have been holed up and hopefully where the baby is present.
"The arrest location was close to open land and the couple were moving towards that land. And that's why we are focusing heavily on where we are right now.
"We know that they travel, we know they travel long distances.
"My plea to the members of the public here in Brighton and crossing over towards Newhaven is please be vigilant in the open land where you are, in the outbuildings that you may have on your own property, and assist us in that way by being vigilant."
- Henry Moore
Constance Marten's mother penned a letter to her daughter
Prior to police finding the missing mother and her partner, Constance's mum penned an open letter to her daughter.
Virginie de Selliers wrote: "You are not alone in this situation. We will support you in whatever way we can.
"I know you well enough; you are focused, intelligent, passionate and complex with so much to offer the world. So many of your friends have come forward to say such positive things about you, assuring us of their warmest love and support for you and your family.
"You have made choices in your personal adult life which have proven to be challenging, however I respect them, I know that you want to keep your precious new-born child at all costs.
"With all that you have gone through this baby cannot be removed from you but instead needs looking after in a kind and warm environment.
"I want to help you and my grandchild. You deserve the opportunity to build a new life, establish a stable family and enjoy the same freedoms that most of us have.
"Constance, I will do what I can to stand alongside you and my grandchild. You are not alone in this situation. We will support you in whatever way we can.
"I am ready to do what it takes for you to recover from this awful experience so you can thrive and enjoy motherhood.
"I love you and miss you, Mum xx."
- Henry Moore
Where was Constance Marten found?
- Henry Moore
Police looking into 'all available areas' to find missing toddler
Speaking to Sky News, Detective Superintendent Lewis Basford: "We are currently looking into all available areas that the baby could be in the open land.
"That will include the search of outbuildings and anywhere the baby could have been left by the couple to seek shelter away from the climate and extreme temperatures.
"The search will include every facility in this location, going out into the open land to try and locate the baby."
- Henry Moore
Police call on the public to share any important information
DSI Lewis Bashford from the Met police said: “We are asking the public to remain vigilant in the local areas as they go about their business but also to look at the premises that they own – any outbuildings and their own property.
“Please take five minutes to take a look at those and assist us in the search for the baby.”
- Henry Moore
Who to contact if you have information
Anyone who may be able to assist in the search for the couple’s baby is urged to contact 999.
- Henry Moore
When did the couple go missing?
Miss Marten and Gordon were reported missing after their car broke down near Bolton, Greater Manchester, on January 5.
The pair ditched their burning car and a nationwide hunt for the three of them began.
They are believed to have spent time sleeping rough and travelling the country using cabs after being spotted buying camping equipment from an East London Argos on January 7.
Concerns grew for the missing aristocrat, 35, and her baby, as temperatures across the country plummeted.
Before they were found, the pair were last seen with their baby in Newhaven, East Sussex, on January 9.
- Henry Moore
When did police find the couple?
The couple were located – without their one-month-old baby – on a residential street shortly before 9.30pm and an urgent search continues in the area.
Cops have been seen searching under cars and behind bins this morning in a bid to find the newborn.
And officers had appeared focused on a caravan – though its believed the pair had been sleeping outside.
Police say they are still hoping the baby is alive and have appealed to anybody who might be looking after the child to come forward.
- Henry Moore
Police issues update as temperatures plunge
POLICE have given a major update on their search for Constance Marten and her lover Mark Gordon’s missing newborn baby.
The couple were last night found by cops in Brighton after 54 days on the run.
Temperatures in the area last night dropped to 1C – but police say they are still hoping the baby is alive.
DSI Lewis Bashford from the Met police said: “We can’t say at this time if it’s a boy or a girl and we are still awaiting test results from the placenta found in their car on the M61.
“At the moment, we are still in the position where they have been arrested on suspicion of child neglect and there is a search for the baby.
“We are looking at open land, outbuildings where they may have placed the baby while they were in the local area before we arrested them.
“There’s nothing to say they were in the caravan, we still think they were living in the outdoor environment and the that is leading us, and the arrest location, to the outdoor search.
“I think, we’ve got to keep the hope that maybe they have allowed somebody else to care for the baby who thinks they are doing some good on behalf of the couple but as we know, as the temperature drops and the longer the baby goes without parents the risks are high.”
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