Police investigating baby found dead on golf course

Police are investigating after a baby boy was found dead in a wooded area of a golf course.

The baby was discovered by two people walking their dogs at about 4.25pm on Friday afternoon on Brackenwood golf course in Bebington, in the Wirral.

The baby was not clothed, police said on Monday, and there were no discernible or immediately obvious injuries to the child when he was found.

Detectives said it is unclear if the baby was alive when he was brought to the golf course, which was closed because of the coronavirus lockdown.

The body was not particularly concealed or hidden, and was not buried or left covered with any branches, twigs or leaves on top of him.

Experts have determined the baby was full-term, but his age remains unclear.

A premature birth has been ruled out.

A post-mortem examination was completed this afternoon, but it proved inconclusive in confirming a cause of death.

Further scientific and medical tests will be carried out to try and learn more.

Detectives said there was currently “nothing to indicate a criminal perspective, ie murder or manslaughter” at present.

Detective Chief Superintendent Lee Turner, of Merseyside Police, said: “Any death of a child is tragic, this is even more so due to the fact it's outside and we're unable to determine how long he's been there, and the cause of death is inconclusive until we do some more checks.

"We are keen to speak to mum for a number of reasons, to identify her safeguarding to make sure she's got any medical assistance she needs and for us to give us some detail as to how the baby has come to be where he is.

"It's off where the main golf course is, where the public footpath is alongside, in between one of the fairways and Mount Road, there's a wooded area, and the baby has been found there.

“It's a tragic event, the mum will undoubtedly be going through a very difficult period and will require some form of medical intervention.”

Police are asking members of the public who noticed anything unusual in the surrounding communities in a woman's behaviour to come forward and speak to them.

DCS Turner added: “If any family members or close members of the community are thinking something wasn't quite right, and it raised some suspicion, they can contact us too.

“We are here to assist, support, listen and to help her in whatever way we can, and we want to understand how it is the baby come to be in that situation.

“We would like her to come forward and provide detail around that.

“It was a difficult scene to deal with for our officers, conditions were awful from a weather perspective, any death of a child is difficult to deal with, and officers were outstanding with the professionalism they showed.”

Flowers and teddies have been laid outside the club entrance by residents in the area.

Anyone who can help police should call 101, direct message on Twitter @MerPolCC or call anonymously via CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111.