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16th Jul 2021

Death of newborn found in canal in UK now treated as murder

Sarah McKenna Barry

The tragic discovery was made two months ago.

Authorities in the UK are treating the death of a newborn baby boy who was found in a West Midlands canal as a murder.

The infant’s body was discovered by a passer-by on 20 May, and police are still attempting to trace the mother, as they are concerned for her welfare.

Police officers had previously suspected that the baby was “probably not alive” when he was put in the canal.

Crimestoppers are offering a £5,000 reward to anyone who has information in relation to the case.

Mike Dutchie, the organisation’s director of operations 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 also concern 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 Dutchie added that anyone who contacts the Crimestopppers will remain “100% anonymous”.

He said: “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.”

Topics:

crime,Sensitive,UK