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Daily Record
Daily Record
World
Matthew Cooper & David Walker & Ryan Merrifield

Murder probe launched after newborn baby boy is found dead in canal

The "shocking" discovery of a dead newborn baby boy in a canal has led to a murder probe being launched.

Police are also attempting to trace the infant's mum after the body was found in a West Midlands canal.

It is thought that the baby had been in the water for up to four days before being discovered.

Crimestoppers are offering a £5,000 reward for information about the suspected murder, with police concerned about the missing mum's welfare.

The Daily Mirror reported that the body was discovered on May 20 at about 1pm by a shocked passer-by in the Wyrley and Essington Canal in Rough Wood country park, near Willenhall, Walsall.

Officers have previously said the full-term baby was "probably not alive" when he was put into the stretch of water.

Mick Duthie, director of operations at Crimestoppers, said: "This is a particularly sad, tragic case and shocking for the community, so we are keen to have answers as to what happened and who was involved.

"We are urging anyone who may know something to contact our charity anonymously as soon as possible.

"There is concern also for the well-being of the baby's mother.

"Investigators, who have asked our charity to put up this reward, believe that someone may know or suspect who the mother is.

"We hope that our reward for information given anonymously will help prompt someone's conscience to speak up and tell us what they know."

Mr Duthie added: "Everyone who contacts Crimestoppers stays 100% anonymous. Always. We have kept this promise for over 32 years.

"When you call our UK Contact Centre on freephone 0800 555 111, which is open 24/7, or use our simple, secure and anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org to give information, nobody will know you contacted us, only you."

Police activity at the canal in Rough Wood Country Park, Walsall, West Midlands, after a baby boy was discovered in the canal. (SWNS/Adam Hughes)

Lee Coles made the tragic discovery as he walked home from shopping.

The 27-year-old, who has a toddler of his own, said he first believed the tragic infant was a doll, but called police when he realised what had happened.

Mr Coles, a full-time carer, that he noticed the infant's feet and hands in the water in the water.

He said: “I went into complete shock. I couldn’t move. I had to sit down back - I felt like I was going to pass out."

“When I got home I hugged my son a bit tighter," he added.

Also speaking at the time, Detective Chief Inspector Jim Munro, from the force's 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."

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