Baby found dead in canal may have been in water for four days as police search for mum

The "tragic and heartbreaking" discovery of a baby boy's body in a canal may have come after he spent four days in the water, police have revealed.

The tot was tragically spotted floating in the water by a passerby in Rough Wood Country Park, West Midlands, on Thursday.

The youngster was pulled from the Essington Canal in Willenhall but was sadly confirmed dead at the scene.

A forensic team will carry out a post-examination next week to help identify the cause of death.

West Midlands Police have issued a direct appeal to the boy's mother to come forward and said she remains their "primary concern."

Detectives believe she may be in need of medical assistance and say they want to make sure she is okay, both physically and mentally.

The police are calling on the mum to come forward as they want to make sure she is okay (SnapperSK)

Officers have been examining the scene and speaking to potential witnesses with anyone who has any information being urged to come forward.

Detective Chief Inspector Jim Munro, from Force CID, said: "This discovery is simply tragic. The death of this baby is absolutely heart-breaking.

"Our priority at this time is finding the little boy's mother.

"We're also working with partners in health, social care and education to see if they can help us identify his mother.

Police believe the tot may have spent as long as four days in the water before he was discovered (SnapperSK)

"I realise how distressing this tragedy is for the local community, but please don't speculate on the circumstances of this upsetting incident, it hinders our investigation and is painful for those involved.

"We are appealing for the mom of that little boy to come forward and speak with us.

"We have grave concerns for her health and her wellbeing and that is our priority at this time.

"Likewise to any family or anyone who has concerns over somebody who has recently been pregnant.

Police officers and detectives at the scene of the where they baby was discovered in Willenhall (SnapperSK)

"We would ask for them to come forward with information which will be treated in the strictest confidence.

"Also we're directly appealing to people who use the canal, whether that be through boating or through people who walk the area on a regular basis, we believe this area is frequented by a lot of people.

"So we would ask people to cast their minds back, have they seen anything suspicious while out walking in that area?

"I would ask them to come forward to allow us to get the mum the medical support she needs and enable us to understand how that little boy has tragically died."

Chief Superintendent Andy Parsons, from Walsall Police, added: "I'm shocked and saddened about this deeply tragic discovery.

"My thoughts are with him and the wider community who I know are upset and concerned about the nature of what happened.

"We've got local officers in the area offering reassurance, please do speak to them if you have any concerns."

Anyone with information, CCTV footage or dash cam footage can provide it via a dedicated police website.