Doll and bottle found after baby boy found dead on golf course

A doll and bottle have been discovered at a golf course where a baby was found dead, police have revealed.

Officers have appealed for the boy's mother to come forward and said they don't know how long he was there for.

The unclothed infant was found by dog walkers at Brackenwood golf course in Bebington, the Wirral, on 29 January.

“Officers carried out a painstaking and lengthy search of the golf course and surrounding area to establish if there was anything further to assist the investigation," Merseyside Police's Detective Chief Inspector Judith Blease said on Tuesday.

“It is not clear if the doll or the bottle is anyway connected with this case but we would ask anyone who thinks they saw either item or has any idea how they ended up there to contact us so that we can eliminate them.

“We are continuing to work closely with our partners to follow a number of potential lines of enquiry as we all know how important it is for us to find the baby’s mum and ensure she is safe and well and has the help and support that she needs."

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Merseyside Police said the toy baby doll was wrapped in grey tape and a plastic protein shake or water bottle with a red top was found in wooded area around the course.

The force said the baby could have been there "for some weeks" before being found and tests to determine the cause of death are being carried out.

Detectives have carried out enquiries with council and health and social care workers, as well as other police forces.

They have also been looking into recent births of baby boys in the Wirral and plan to expand that to the neighbouring areas.

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Previously, police said it was unclear if the baby was alive whenever he was brought to the course – which has been closed amid lockdown – and was not concealed. A premature birth has been ruled out.

Detectives earlier that “nothing to indicate a criminal perspective, ie murder or manslaughter” had emerged.

Tributes were left at the club entrance by residents.

Anyone who can explain the items or noticed anything unusual about a woman's behaviour in the nearby communities has been asked to come forward.

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