Mother charged after dead baby found in Perth storm drain
The vulnerable mother of a newborn baby boy found dead inside a stormwater drain has been charged as she receives medical care.
The woman in her 30s was charged with concealing the birth of a deceased child, Western Australian police say.
The infant’s body was found by two workers carrying out routine maintenance made in Perth’s northern suburbs on Monday afternoon.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“At this stage, our information suggests the baby was not killed violently, however the (investigation into the) circumstances around the death of the child is ongoing,” homicide squad officer-in-charge Jessica Securo told reporters on Friday.
Police on Wednesday confirmed a woman was assisting them with their investigations.
Members of the community alerted police about the woman and Acting Inspector Securo said their actions may have saved her life.
“Anyone in this woman’s situation I would describe as vulnerable,” she said.
“Our ultimate priority was getting her that medical care, getting her that mental health support, getting everything she needed in that space.”
The woman is co-operating with investigators and forensic testing continues to determine exactly how long the baby was in the drain for, although it is believed to be a short amount of time, Insp Securo said.
“We’re extremely lucky that the two tradesmen came across that child,” she said.
“It is a highly distressing and confronting thing for anyone to come across and we’re just thankful that the tradesmen alerted police as quickly as they did.”
The men were clearing the drain in the suburb of Alexander Heights of debris and checking for blockages when the confronting discovery was made.
Police previously said there was no evidence the baby had been washed through the drain system and that the evidence suggested that he had been placed in it.
Premier Roger Cook previously called it a “horrifying series of events” that had rocked the community, with flowers and teddy bears being left at the drain site.
“This goes to the heart of everyone’s sense of humanity, a small child whose life has passed under tragic circumstances,” he said earlier in the week.
Homicide detectives continue to investigate the incident and the charge could be upgraded.
The woman is receiving medical care and will face Perth Magistrates Court at a date to be scheduled.
Lifeline 13 11 14 / beyondblue 1300 22 4636.
