Cooks River, Earlwood: New information sparks fresh police appeal for missing mum and baby

Forensic tests of a placenta and umbilical cord found on the banks fo the Cooks River in Earlwood have uncovered new information about a missing baby at the centre of a desperate search in western Sydney.

Police were called to the Cooks River at 4.30pm on Monday after a passerby found “signs of birth” on the bank near mangroves, sparking a desperate search for a mother and newborn in the area.

The forensic tests on the umbilical cord and placenta have confirmed the newborn baby is male, police said in an update on Wednesday.

As well as the gender of the child, tests were expected to determine the gestation of the baby and how long the discharge had been at the river.

Despite making the difficult decision to scale down their search in the area on Tuesday, police have reiterated their concerns for the mother and baby’s wellbeing, asking her to attend the “nearest hospital to receive urgent care for herself and her child”.

Burwood Police Area Command Det-Chief Supt. Christine McDonald told reporters on Monday authorities held “extreme concern” for the mother and child, but “no judgment” for the woman.

“Childbirth for many people can be a traumatic time and it can be very distressing. I am deeply concerned for the safety and mental health of the mother and also for the safety of her baby,” Det-Chief Supt. McDonald said.

“They need to know that we are concerned for them, that we are wanting to know they are safe. As we know, childbirth presents a number of health concerns hence why we are requesting the mother goes straight to a hospital and speaks to health professionals.”

Anyone with CCTV vision or information about the incident, or noticed a “distressed woman or pregnant woman” in the area of Lang Road, Wardell Road, Tennent Parade, and Ewen Park at Earlwood and Hurlstone Park, is urged to contact Burwood Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.