Body of baby found in search for 3-month-old boy kidnapped from pushchair as mum took shopping inside
A BABY has been found dead amid the frantic search for a three-month-old boy.
The infant was snatched from his pushchair as his mum took her shopping into her home in Baden-Württemberg, Germany last night.
Police said the newly-discovered body “could be the missing boy” who vanished from a quiet neighbourhood
Emergency reponders discovered the small body lying in or near the Rankbach stream at around 1.45pm.
Identification is underway, police said.
Cops have been searching for the boy since 11.30pm last night when his panicked parents reported him missing.
His mother, 37, had taken her son to the Rewe supermarket, around 800 metres away from her home in Malmsheimer Straße, after the heat of the day.
The boys grandmother told Bild: “My daughter came home from shopping, she had bags with her and wanted to carry them up to the second floor.”
She left the boy in his stroller on the pavement in front of the house, but when she returned he was gone.
According to her statement, a stranger snatched the child while she was inside.
Police said the baby was left alone “for a short time”.
They believe that “an unknown person lifted the child from a stroller and took it away”.
A huge manhunt was launched immediately after the missing persons report was filed.
Drones, helicopters, firefighters and 40 rescue dogs have been deployed to scour the area for any sign of the missing baby.
A collection point for emergency services was set up in the parking lot of the Rewe supermarket.
The soaring temperatures in the region have added an extra layer of terror.
Police confirmed that cadaver dogs – trained to sniff out decomposing bodies – were part of the search operation.
Cops previously warned: “If it were helpless somewhere in this heat, it would be very bad.”
“Unfortunately, we currently have no promising leads,” they added.
Police began their search at the scene of the crime and worked outwards in a circular pattern, they said.
The search has been called off following the discovery of the deceased infant.
News of the disturbing disappearance has rocked the town of 18,000 inhabitants.
Renningen’s mayor, Melanie Hettmer, 49 said: “I am speechless and deeply worried. I hope the child is found safe and sound”.
Local residents formed search groups and advertised for volunteers across social media.
