Cooks River birth: Urgent search for mother and newborn child after placenta discovery in Earlwood

Police are searching for a “woman in distress” with “extreme urgency” after a birth took place on a Sydney river on Monday.

NSW police shared a statement on Tuesday morning confirming: “A search will continue this morning at Earlwood following concerns for a mother and child.”

Police believe someone in the area may have seen a “woman in distress” before she vanished.

NSW Police responded to an incident around 4.30pm on Monday after a person walking their dog along the Cooks River in Earlwood found evidence indicating that a birth had occurred.

Officers from Burwood Police Area Command responded to the scene and confirmed that a child had indeed been born near the river.

“We’ve conducted some forensic examinations over the last couple of hours and I can confirm that a placenta and umbilical cord of a human has been located,” Superintendent Christine McDonald said.

“It is very important and it is with extreme urgency that we find the mother and the child.

“Obviously we will be contacting hospitals”.

Police have “serious welfare concerns” for both the mum and newborn.

Authorities are strongly urging the mother to seek medical assistance at the nearest hospital to ensure the well-being of herself and her newborn.

Detectives have established a crime scene and have launched an investigation into the incident.

Police believe someone may have seen a woman in distress shortly after the birth. Officers want to speak to anyone who was in the areas of Wardell Road and Lang Road, Earlwood, and Tennent Parade, Hurlstone Park and Ewen Park, Hurlstone Park yesterday afternoon.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Burwood Police or Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000.