Prayers for a baby boy left in carrier bag outside the vicarage of St Peter’s Church, Bramley, on Wednesday morning have been led the priest who found him.
The Rev Paul Crabb organised the service at 4pm on Friday to help local parents and residents pay their respects to the baby, who sadly had died soon after being born.
And prayers were also said for the mother, who police and medical services were still trying to trace following the tragic discovery, due to concerns for her health and wellbeing.
The baby, who was full-term, was pronounced dead on arrival to hospital on Wednesday.
Addressing those gathered at a churchyard memorial made of flowers and candles, Rev Crabb said:
“We’re here to be together, to share our sadness and to express our love for a little boy we never knew, yet whose death has changed our lives.
“We gathered to hold in our hearts his mother, hoping and praying that she will find the help that she needs.”
Police, meanwhile, are continuing to appeal for information to trace the mother of the baby.
Detective Chief Inspector Nicola Bryar, who is leading the investigation, said:
“Our absolute priority at the moment is the welfare of the mother of this baby boy and we urgently need to trace her and make sure she gets all the relevant support and medical intervention that she is likely to need.
“Clearly the circumstances of this incident suggest that the mother will be in crisis at the moment and I want to give her my personal reassurance that her welfare is our main concern.”