Introducing... Foundling

Introducing... Foundling

From Lucky Boy | Tortoise Investigates by The Observer

March 17, 2026 · 4 min · Season 19

About this episode

The episode explores the story of a newborn baby found abandoned in Suffolk and the journalist who seeks to uncover the truth behind her mother's actions.

On 6th October 1987, a newborn baby is found on the verge of a remote country lane in Suffolk. Police comb the area for clues and appeal for witnesses, but the mother is never found. The baby, Jess, is adopted. Journalist Lucy Greenwell has never forgotten the day when Jess was discovered. She was a child and lived nearby. For decades Lucy has wondered; what happened to Jess, and what could have driven a mother to leave her child in such an isolated place? When Lucy tracks Jess down, she finds a woman already deep in her own search for the truth, and a story far more tangled than either of them expected. What unfolds is a tale of long-held secrets and unintended consequences that spirals out of Jess’s control. Foundling is a 6 part original series from Tortoise Investigates and The Observer. To binge listen to all episodes today, ad-free, subscribe to The Observer and use the code AUDIO50 to get 50% off your annual subscription. You'll get access to: This series and all our podcasts before anyone else Ad-free listening Premium newsletters Puzzles from the inventors of the cryptic crossword Exclusive offers from our partners including Mubi and iescape Tickets to join Observer…

People in this episode

Host: Lucy Greenwell

Guest: Jess

Topics covered

  • adoption
  • motherhood
  • secrets
  • investigation
  • true crime
  • documentary

Keywords

  • abandonment
  • adoption
  • mother
  • investigation
  • true crime
  • Suffolk
  • secrets

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Tortoise Investigates, The Observer

Places: Suffolk

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