Jersey teeth 'from two children'

Police investigating claims of child abuse at a former Jersey children's home say tests prove remains of more than one child have been found.

Tests on five teeth in a cellar at Haut de la Garenne revealed most probably came out after death and from at least two children, said a police statement.

Thirty bone fragments and 10 milk teeth have been found in the inquiry.

Of the bone fragments unearthed, tests have found that some were cut while others had been burnt.

The investigation showed the teeth were "very unlikely to have come out naturally before death," according to the police statement.

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It added: "Additionally, there were two teeth which were the same in the five, which means that beyond doubt there were teeth from at least two children."

"We must have concerns at the fact that in a children's home where we have allegations of awful abuse, we are finding only the remains of children and not adults."

Deputy Chief Officer Lenny Harper, who is leading the investigation, said they have 70 suspects in their inquiry into claims, made by 116 people, of abuse at Haut de la Garenne between the early 1960s and 1986.

However, they have not announced a murder inquiry, saying more tests are needed to establish how old the remains are.