Police investigation continues after newborn baby boy found dead in Willenhall canal

  • Pictures from Snapper SK

West Midlands Police are investigating after a baby boy was found dead in a canal in Walsall on Thursday (20 May) afternoon.

The baby was spotted by a passer-by in Rough Wood Country Park, off Hunts Lane in Willenhall at around 1pm.

The baby, believed to be a newborn, is sadly dead. Police are investigating these "very sad circumstances" and to understand "if anyone has to come to harm."

Officers are examining the scene and speaking to potential witnesses.

Detective Inspector Wes Martin from force CID, said: “This is a tragic investigation and our priority is to now find the baby boy’s mum to make sure she is ok.

West Midlands Police has all entrances sealed off and a number of response vehicles are parked along Bentley Lane. Credit: BPM

West Midlands Police are carrying out house to house enquiries as well as searching through CCTV of the area, to help establish what happened. They are asking anyone with information to come forward.

They believe the baby could have been in the canal for as long as 4 days, and are asking anyone with information to come forward.

DCI Jim Munro told ITV News Central that the force's priority is to find the mother of the baby, to check if she is okay and give her the support she needs.