The Cruelty – A Child Unclaimed

May 13 2024 12 ep. 386

The Cruelty – A Child Unclaimed Podcast artwork

Confronting a shocking reality that hits close to home David Donaldson investigates the Unknown Bairn, a boy washed up in Tayport. Can Davie uncover the little boy’s identity?

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Introducing - The Forgotten Dead Series 2

'Mary Ellen' was a nickname given by Police. She was found wrapped in a copy of the News of the World and still wearing her jewellery.Her real name remains a mystery.

Introducing..."The Missing Madonna"

Aug 25 2023 1 mins

From a Scottish Castle to a Merseyside boozer, via the FBI’s most-wanted list, this is the incredible story of a missing masterpiece.

9. The Wee Boy

Sep 28 2022 30 mins

In Tayport Cemetery on the 51st anniversary of the discovery of the Unknown Bairn, Davie meets again with the Robertson family.Presenter: Davie Donaldson Producer: Kate Bissell, BBC Scotland Productions. Researchers: Rachael Fulton and Catrina RoseAdditional reporting: Cameron Mackay Story consultants: Jack Kibble White and Kirsty Williams Sound Designer: Julian Corrie Music : Juli

8. The Mother

Sep 28 2022 19 mins

After receiving a flurry of messages, Davie arrive at the doorstep of someone who might just hold the key to the whole investigation.Presenter: Davie Donaldson Producer: Kate Bissell, BBC Scotland Productions. Researchers: Rachael Fulton and Catrina RoseAdditional reporting: Cameron Mackay Story consultants: Jack Kibble White and Kirsty Williams Sound Designer: Julian Corrie Music

7. The Camp

Sep 28 2022 25 mins

Tracking down the camp where the Unknown Bairn may have lived brings Davie even closer to the story and offers up a potential new lead.Presenter: Davie Donaldson Producer: Kate Bissell, BBC Scotland Productions. Researchers: Rachael Fulton and Catrina RoseAdditional reporting: Cameron Mackay Story consultants: Jack Kibble White and Kirsty Williams Sound Designer: Julian Corrie Musi

6. The Boy on the Bike

Sep 28 2022 25 mins

The case suddenly starts to speed up, as new information is forthcoming. However, these breakthroughs lead Davie to look again at information already received.Presenter: Davie Donaldson Producer: Kate Bissell, BBC Scotland Productions. Researchers: Rachael Fulton and Catrina RoseAdditional reporting: Cameron Mackay Story consultants: Jack Kibble White and Kirsty Williams Sound Desi

5. The Experiments

Sep 28 2022 45 mins

Davie discovers the story of a little girl, possibly murdered in care, and is forced to question whether the Unknown Bairn could have met a similar fate.Presenter: Davie Donaldson Producer: Kate Bissell, BBC Scotland Productions. Researchers: Rachael Fulton and Catrina RoseAdditional reporting: Cameron Mackay Story consultants: Jack Kibble White and Kirsty Williams Sound Designer:

4. The Cruelty

Sep 28 2022 35 mins

In trying to work out how a child could remain unclaimed, Davie is forced to consider his father’s childhood and how it could be connected to the case.Presenter: Davie Donaldson Producer: Kate Bissell, BBC Scotland Productions. Researchers: Rachael Fulton and Catrina RoseAdditional reporting: Cameron Mackay Story consultants: Jack Kibble White and Kirsty Williams Sound Designer:

3. Lucky Scalp

Sep 28 2022 25 mins

No one knew where The Unknown Bairn washed in from. Did he come from out of the sea, perhaps as far afield as the Netherlands or did he enter the water upstream in the River Tay.Presenter: Davie Donaldson Producer: Kate Bissell, BBC Scotland Productions. Researchers: Rachael Fulton and Catrina RoseAdditional reporting: Cameron Mackay Story consultants: Jack Kibble White and Kirsty

2. The Couple on the Bus

Sep 28 2022 23 mins

Davie meets a former detective who worked on the case, but has since made claims in the press about the identity of the Unknown Bairn.Presenter: Davie Donaldson Producer: Kate Bissell, BBC Scotland Productions. Researchers: Rachael Fulton and Catrina RoseAdditional reporting: Cameron Mackay Story consultants: Jack Kibble White and Kirsty Williams Sound Designer: Julian Corrie Music