Search for missing baby takes tragic turn as police find deceased infant in Germany

German authorities have discovered the body of an infant while searching for a 3-month-old boy who was reported missing after allegedly being taken from his stroller.

The Ludwigsburg Police launched an extensive search operation on Thursday, June 18, after the baby was reported missing at around 11:30 p.m. local time, according to a translated police statement.

Authorities used helicopters, drones and search dogs as they searched for the missing child, whose identity has not been released.

“Helicopters have been deployed, and local residents are urged to keep their eyes and ears open,” police said in a translated statement, while also asking people not to organize independent search groups.

On Friday, June 19, police announced they had found the body of an infant at around 1:45 p.m. and were working to confirm the child’s identity.

“It could be the missing boy. Police operations to identify them are ongoing,” Ludwigsburg Police said in a statement.

Authorities have not released further details about the discovery or the suspected cause of death as the criminal investigation continues.

According to German outlet BILD, the infant’s body was found near the Rankbach stream in Baden-Württemberg.

Police spokesman Steffen Grabenstein told the outlet that the missing baby was believed to have been taken after being briefly left unattended.

“The child was left unattended for a brief period. An unknown person lifted him out of the stroller and took him away,” Grabenstein said in a translated statement.

The baby’s grandmother reportedly told BILD that the child’s mother had returned home from shopping and left the stroller outside briefly while carrying grocery bags upstairs.

“When she returned to the street to check on the stroller, her baby was gone,” the outlet reported.

Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the infant’s disappearance and the discovery.