Offer of £10k reward after baby found dead in canal

A reward of up to £10,000 is being offered for information, after a newborn baby boy was found dead in a canal four years ago.

The identity of his mother was still unknown following the discovery of the child in the Wyrley and Essington Canal near Willenhall in Walsall, Crimestoppers stated.

The independent charity said it was announcing the reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the death of the boy found at Rough Wood Country Park in May 2021.

West Midlands Police is continuing to treat the death as murder.

Det Supt Jim Munro, from the force, said: "This baby boy deserves justice. His short life and tragic death must not be forgotten.

"We are determined to find answers, and with the public's help, we believe we can."

A passer-by spotted the child in a waterway in the afternoon, police stated in 2021.

The identity of the baby's mother was not known, despite extensive investigations and community appeals, Crimestoppers said.

The charity stated somebody "can tell us what you know and remain 100% anonymous", and the reward would only be payable for information passed directly to Crimestoppers and not to the police.

The charity's West Midlands regional manager, Alan Edwards, said: "This is a particularly sad and tragic case that has deeply affected the local community.

"We urgently need information that can help bring justice for this little boy and support for his mother."

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