West Midlands Police have launched a manhunt after a four-year-old boy was taken from a park in the Black Country on Thursday afternoon.
The child was playing just a short distance from his mother near the fish pond at Haden Hill Park in Cradley Heath, Sandwell, when he disappeared for a few minutes. His mother was briefly looking after a baby at the time.
The boy went missing shortly after 3pm but was found soon after in nearby woodland next to the park, which immediately triggered a police response.
Specially trained officers are now supporting the child and his family as they try to work out exactly what happened.
The park, off Halesowen Road near Birmingham, has since become the centre of a major police investigation as detectives work to track down the person responsible.
Officers say the suspect is a black male, late teens, short in height, with curled hair and a clean-shaven face. He was wearing all-black clothing.
Police believe this is an isolated incident, but say they understand the worry it will cause in the local community.
In a statement, West Midlands Police said they are still in the early stages of the investigation and are speaking with the child and family to piece together the timeline. They also confirmed the suspect description and repeated that they believe it is a one-off incident.
Extra patrols have been put in place around the park and surrounding streets to reassure residents.
Detectives are reviewing CCTV from the area and are asking for witnesses to come forward, especially anyone who was in the park at the time or has mobile phone footage.
Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 101, quoting log 3966-180626, or report anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
