Grimsby Baby Case Unmasks 1900s Infant Trafficking Ring

In 1907, a traveling showbiz couple, Herbert Smith and Lottie Roberts, were arrested in Grimsby on suspicion of causing the death of a two-week-old baby. This incident, however, led to the shocking discovery of a widespread baby trafficking operation.

The couple, who performed musical hall acts, had been preying on desperate parents, particularly those with illegitimate children. They advertised themselves as a couple seeking to adopt, promising a good home for a fee of up to £15.

Instead of providing loving families, Smith and Roberts delivered the infants to "baby farmers" – individuals who would care for the children for a small weekly payment, often neglecting them until they died. The couple used fake identities and addresses, making it difficult to trace them.

Their operation extended across England and Northern Ireland, with dozens of areas affected. While they were found guilty of fraudulently obtaining over £150 for trafficking 15 babies, the true number of victims is believed to be much higher.

Sentenced to prison, Smith and Roberts later resumed their performing careers, though with a damaged reputation. They eventually traveled abroad, with Smith performing in Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. The Grimsby baby was located with a baby farmer in Lincoln and eventually returned to his family.

Decades later, the Grimsby baby's great-grandson, Michael Kitching, discovered this hidden family history. He described the circumstances of his ancestor's birth and subsequent trafficking as "heart-breaking and horrific," noting the potential social shame that prevented the story from being passed down.