Police are investigating a tragic case in the west of Poland after discovering a newborn baby buried in a garden.

According to daily Gazeta Wyborcza, authorities in the small town of Kedzierzawych have brought the alleged mother in for questioning and her four children are currently being cared for by the local social welfare centre.

Last year the welfare centre noted the lady was once again pregnant with her fifth child but became concerned in October when the baby was not at the family home. They informed the family court and prosecutor’s office who duly contacted the police.

On Wednesday authorities searched the premises and the paper reports that the woman eventually confessed where the body was buried. An autopsy is now due to be carried out in order to establish when the baby was born and its state of health at the time.

“This is not your typical dysfunctional family. Up until now we have never had any dealings with them at all,” a local police spokesman told reporters. “The place was neat and tidy inside, however it is clear that the family do live in poverty.”

At the time of going to press, there were no details regarding any charges that the mother might face.