Dead baby’s body found on golf course may have been there for weeks, police say

A baby discovered dead on a golf course may have been there for weeks, according to police.

Two dog walkers found the boy on Brackenwood golf course in Bebington, Wirral in Merseyside.

Officers say he could have been undiscovered for up to three weeks as the site has been shut during lockdown, the Liverpool Echo reports.

The baby was not clothed and there were no discernible or immediately obvious injuries when he was found last Friday afternoon, they added.

Police say there is currently “nothing to indicate a criminal perspective” such as murder or manslaughter.

And it is unclear if he was alive when he was brought to the course, which may never be known.

The baby was discovered in a slightly wooded area off a fairway, but was not particularly concealed or hidden.

Flowers and teddies have been laid outside the club entrance.

Experts have determined the baby was full-term, but his age, or even if he was stillborn, remains unclear.

They have ruled out a premature birth.

A post-mortem proved inconclusive in confirming a cause of death, with further scientific and medical tests due to be carried out.

Officers are keen to speak to the mum to “make sure she’s got any medical assistance she needs” and to find out what happened.

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.

“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 anyone who noticed anything unusual in the nearby area in a woman’s behaviour to come forward, along with any family members who are “thinking something wasn’t quite right”.

Detectives also said suggestions a weapon was found nearby are not true.

DCS Turner added: “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.

“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.”

Public footpaths which run through the council-run course remain open to walkers.