Seafield baby body blanket pictures released

Police investigating the discovery of the remains of a baby boy in Seafield have released images of the blanket that was found with the child.

A blanket similar to the one the baby was found with. Picture: comp

They hope it might help discover the identity of the youngster, believed to be around six weeks old.

The ‘early days’ baby blanket, which is sold by Primark, features a variety of circus-themed images on one side, and a distinctive image of an elephant with a balloon tied to its trunk on the far corner of the underside.

Police have released the replica image in the hope that someone may have information that can lead to the identification of the boy, or his mother.

Police are continuing their search in the area. Picture: Neil Hanna

Detective Chief Inspector David McLaren, from Police Scotland, said: “We have released this image in the hope that it will jog the memory of someone who may hold information that will assist us in identifying this baby. I would appeal to the public to consider whether they have seen a child wrapped in a similar blanket to this recently, and to ask themselves where that child is now.

Appeal for contact

“We know from our initial work that this was a baby that was being cared for, fed, and as far as we know was healthy. We can’t rule out that the mother has left the child in the area hoping that someone would find him and take care of him.

“I would once again urge the mother of the child to contact us so that we can make sure she is safe and well.

“Likewise, I would urge anyone else who thinks they have information that can assist our inquiries to come forward.

Police said today that the body may have lain for a month before it was discovered.

Officers are seeking path users, such as cyclists and dog walkers, who may have noticed “anything suspicious or unusual” during July.

The appeal comes as tests carried out on the remains revealed that the baby may have been up to six weeks old.

Bouquets of flowers have been left in memory of the tragic child near to the edge of the police cordon on Leith Links by shocked members of the public.

Officers are continuing to search the area of Restalrig Path, close to the crematorium cemetery, where the infant’s remains were found by a dog walker on Sunday evening.

Ongoing search

DCI McLaren added: “The area where the discovery was made is popular with dog walkers and cyclists, and I would urge anyone who has used Restalrig Path in the last month, who has noticed anything suspicious or unusual there, to get in touch with us.”

He added: “Examinations on the remains have confirmed that the remains are those of a newborn baby boy, who may have been up to six weeks old.

DCI McLaren said previously that the searches in the area of the footpath could go on for “several days”.

Leith councillor Gordon Munro said: “The people of Leith I have spoken to in the last few days have been left shocked by this tragedy.

“If anyone does have information about what has happened I would urge them to come forward. The mother will undoubtedly need help and support at this time.”

Detectives are trawling the council’s list of at-risk babies in a bid to identify the remains. Hundreds of children are on the child protection register, including unborn babies flagged up by social workers while still in the womb. Officers believe the register may yield a vital clue in finding the baby’s mother. Police are also contacting NHS staff to see whether any new or expectant mothers displayed behaviour at a hospital or doctor’s surgery which raised suspicions.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, or make an anonymous report through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.