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Homicide detectives have pleaded for a mother to come forward amid concerns for her health after a newborn baby boy was found dead in a stormwater drain in Perth.
A newborn baby boy found dead in a suburban stormwater drain was placed there in recent days before being discovered, police say.
Two workers carrying out routine maintenance made the confronting discovery in Perth’s northern suburbs on Monday afternoon.
“The baby down the stormwater drain is, in fact, a little baby boy,” detective senior sergeant Stephen Cleal told reporters on Tuesday.
“Evidence indicates that it is a newborn baby … [and] that the infant boy was placed in that area only a few days ago.”
According to detective senior sergeant Stephen Cleal, there was no indication that the boy had been carried through the drain. Source: AAP / ABC
“We suspect that the child was deliberately put in that drain at the location on La Salle Road in Alexander Heights,” Cleal explained.
‘Priority’ to help the mother
Homicide detectives made an urgent plea for the baby’s mother to come forward amid concerns for her health.
“We want to help that mother. That is our priority,” Cleal said.
Investigators are working with hospitals and medical centres in a bid to find the mother.
“This is a highly distressing and confronting situation for the community … in that I include the two workmen that come across this shocking and confronting scene,” Cleal said.
“We are working with them and my heart goes out to those two.”
Workers were clearing the drain of debris and checking for blockages when the “chance discovery” was made.
Police have urged people with information about the incident or CCTV recorded in the area to come forward.
Readers seeking support can ring Lifeline crisis support on 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14, Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 and Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 (for young people aged 5 to 25). More information is available at beyondblue.org.au and lifeline.org.au.
