Dog-walking couple in their 20s are left distraught after discovering body of baby boy in woods at golf course as floral tributes are left at scene and police scour area
A young couple out walking their dogs were left devastated after discovering the body of a newborn baby in woods at a golf course.
Shocked neighbours say the couple, in their 20s, were distraught after the discovery at Brackenwood golf course in the Wirral, Merseyside, on Friday.
Police officers have launched an investigation into the death of the 'full-term baby boy' and have been at the course over the weekend following the grim discovery.
They are now trying to trace the child's mother to check on her welfare and offer any support.
A young couple out walking their dogs were left devastated after discovering the body of a newborn baby in woods at Brackenwood golf course in the Wirral, Merseyside, on Friday
Police officers have launched an investigation into the death of the 'full-term baby boy' and have been at the course over the weekend following the grim discovery
As forensic tents remained in place around the 16th fairway of the popular golf course, teddy bears and floral tributes were left at the scene.
One read: 'Sweet dreams and rest in peace.'
A force spokesman said it was not yet clear when the baby died, how long the baby’s body had been there or the cause of death.
Dog walker Sue McLoughlan, 47, said she saw a couple being 'taken away in a police car' that she believed were the ones who discovered the infant's body.
'They were young - in their 20s - and looked upset and ashen-faced. It must have been awful for them. It’s just so sad,' she told The Sun.
As forensic tents remained in place around the 16th fairway of the popular golf course, teddy bears and floral tributes were left at the scene
A force spokesman said it was not yet clear when the baby died, how long the baby’s body had been there or the cause of death
She said a path runs across the golf course near to where the body was found, thought to be close to the 16th or 18th fairway.
Another resident, who did not wish to be named, said he'd also seen a couple speaking to police.
He said: 'I saw a lot police cars arriving at the golf course and walked up the road to see what was going on.
'Then I saw a couple being taken away by police, so I assume they had something to do with the baby’s body being found.'
Dog walker Sue McLoughlan, 47, said she saw a couple being 'taken away in a police car' that she believed were the ones who discovered the infant's body
Merseyside Police told the publication that the body had been discovered by a couple who were out walking their dogs.
A post mortem is due to take place on Monday.
Officers appeared to put up a forensic tent at the course and police were seen searching the area with torches.
It is understood a forensic tent was set up around the 16th fairway of the popular golf course, which is run by Wirral Council.
Pictures from the scene today showed forensic officers scouring the area.
The club has been closed since January 4 in accordance with the national lockdown guidelines.
An extensive search of the area has now been carried out by specialist officers and an investigation is ongoing. A post mortem is due to take place on Monday. Pictured, officers at the golf course
Detective Chief Superintendent Lee Turner said: 'This is obviously a very distressing incident but I want the public to be reassured that we will do everything in our powers to investigate what has taken place. I would ask that people avoid speculating about what has happened until the full facts are known.
'At this stage, all we can say is that the body of what appears to be a full-term baby boy was discovered in a wooded area on the golf course yesterday and police were alerted.
'A post mortem will take place on Monday to establish how and when he died and how long his body was there before being discovered.
'Extensive enquiries are currently being carried out to trace the mother of the baby to check her welfare and offer any support. I would ask anyone who has any information which could assist us with that to contact us as a matter of urgency.
'I would also ask anyone who has any information which could further assist the investigation to contact us either by calling 101, DM @MerPolCC or anonymously via CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111.'