A four-year-old boy was abducted from a park near Dudley and later recovered from a woodland, police said.
The child’s mother was tending to a baby nearby when the incident took place. The boy went missing near the fish pond in Haden Hill Park off Halesowen Road in Cradley Heath near Dudley on Thursday at around 3pm in the afternoon.
He was missing for several minutes before police were able to locate him in a woodland area nearby.
West Midlands Police are still appealing for information about the incident and are looking into evidence including CCTV footage of the surrounding area.
“We believe this is an isolated incident but we understand how concerning it is and understand the impact it will have in the area and to the local community,” a spokesperson said.
Police say they are in the “early stages of the investigation” and that specially trained officers are speaking to the book and his family in order to establish exactly what happened.
The suspect is described as being in his late teens, black, short in height with curled hair. He was described as being clean shaven and wearing black clothing.
“We are currently studying CCTV as we investigate,” police said in a statement released on Friday.
“We are also appealing for witnesses to come forward and we’re particularly keen to hear from people who may have been in the park at the time and may have any mobile footage to please contact us.”
Extra officers remained in the area on Friday to offer reassurance to the local community, according to the BBC. The area is a populated area and the park is located off a main road.
Cradley Heath is a Black Country town located in the Metropolitan Borough of Sandwell in the West Midlands. It is situated 8 miles from Birmingham.
Police said: “Anyone with information is being urged to ring us on 101 quoting log number 3966-180626. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.”
A public link created for members of the public can submit any evidence, photos or information here: https://wmp.uk.evidence.com/axon/community-request/public/haden_hill
