The mum of a newborn baby found dead and dumped in a canal over a year ago has still not been identified with police urgently renewing their appeal for information.
A mystery card and flowers were left at the scene in February this year - nine months after the tragic discovery - but officers couldn't trace it to anyone after carrying out forensic tests, and are unsure if the person who left it knew the baby.
The baby boy, believed to be just a few days old, was found by full-time carer Lee Colesin as he walked through Rough Hay Country Park off Hunts Lane in Willenhall, Walsall, at around 1pm on May 20, 2021.
West Midlands Police immediately launched an investigation to try and find the boy's mum or wider family.
A murder probe was then opened on July 15 last year after the days-old infant's body was discovered floating in the canal, with a £5,000 reward, which was valid for three months, offered through Crimestoppers at the time.
It's thought the baby may have been alive for several hours after being left in the water.
Speaking last July, Detective Inspector Wes Martin, from the force's Homicide Unit, said: "Pathology suggests the baby was potentially alive for several hours.
"We're treating it as a murder investigation until we've spoken to the parents who can help us with our understanding.
"We understand it's a really distressing time for the parents.
"We'll treat them sensitively and support them throughout. But we need to understand what happened."
A post mortem examination on the baby boy was carried out but the results were inconclusive.
Police believe it's likely that the baby had been in the water for several days before being found.
Officers say that all forensic opportunities were explored, including extensive work around familial DNA taken from the little boy.
However, this didn't help police identify his parents with officers no further ahead in understanding what happened to him.
In February, an ominous card and flowers were left at the scene.
The card was forensically examined but nothing was found, and it's still not clear if this was left by someone who knows who the baby was.
Officers are now encouraging whoever left the items to come forward and talk to them.
The baby's body is in the care of the Black Country Coroner in case his family wish to lay him to rest.
If they do not come forward eventually, police say they will arrange for the "most sensitive" funeral service.
Detective Inspector Michelle Thurgood, from the homicide team, who is now leading the investigation, said: “This case is really very sad.
“We’ve worked tirelessly to try and find out what happened to this little boy, it’s disappointing we’ve been unable get answers for him to date."
DI Thurgood added: "We’ll always act upon any new information provided to us and have distributed a further witness appeal in the local area.
“My thoughts are with all concerned and the wider community who I know were deeply distressed by this sad discovery.
“I’d like to thank everyone who has provided us with information so far and assure them that all lines of enquiry have been acted on.”
Anyone with any information can contact West Midlands Police via the live chat on its website or call 101 quoting log number 1963 of 20 May 2021.
