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Body of infant found in Perth storm water drain had been there for two weeks, WA premier says Newborn baby found dead in Perth storm water drain placed there in recent days, police say
(about 1 hour later)
Roger Cook describes ‘horrifying scenario’ after tradespeople found child’s body while cleaning drain on Monday WA premier describes ‘horrifying scenario’ after workers found child’s body while cleaning drain on Monday
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A baby boy found dead in a storm water drain is believed to have been there for two weeks. A newborn baby boy found dead in a suburban storm water drain was placed there in recent days before being discovered, police have said.
The horrifying discovery of the infant’s body was made in Alexander Heights in Perth’s north on Monday afternoon.The horrifying discovery of the infant’s body was made in Alexander Heights in Perth’s north on Monday afternoon.
The Western Australia premier, Roger Cook, said the child was believed to have been inside the drain for about a fortnight. Workers were clearing the drain of debris and checking for blockages when the “chance discovery” was made.
“Evidence suggests it is a newborn child ... (and) that the little boy came to be in that location only in recent days,” Det Sen Sgt Stephen Cleal told reporters on Tuesday.
There was no evidence to suggest the boy was washed through the drain, Cleal said.
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“What we believe is the child was placed in that drain at that location on La Salle Road in Alexander Heights,” he said.
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,” Det Sen Sgt Cleal said.
Investigators are working with hospitals and medical centres in a bid to find the child’s mother.
They also searched bushland adjacent to La Salle Road and conducted a forensic examination at the scene, including inside the storm water drain.
“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,” Det Sen Sgt Cleal said.
“We are working with them and my heart goes out to those two.”
Earlier, the Western Australia premier, Roger Cook, said the discovery of the child’s body was a “horrifying scenario”.
“The mother of that child must be incredibly distressed,” he told reporters on Tuesday.“The mother of that child must be incredibly distressed,” he told reporters on Tuesday.
It is understood tradespeople found the body while cleaning the drain on Monday, in what Mr Cook described as a “horrifying scenario”.
“Those workers that discovered the child’s body were confronted with the most distressing of circumstances,” he said.“Those workers that discovered the child’s body were confronted with the most distressing of circumstances,” he said.
“My heart goes out to everyone involved in this horrible, horrible series of events.“My heart goes out to everyone involved in this horrible, horrible series of events.
“This goes to the heart of everyone’s sense of humanity, a small child whose life has passed under tragic circumstances.”“This goes to the heart of everyone’s sense of humanity, a small child whose life has passed under tragic circumstances.”
WA police confirmed the investigation into the grim discovery remained ongoing.WA police confirmed the investigation into the grim discovery remained ongoing.
Anyone with information has been urged to contact police.Anyone with information has been urged to contact police.
More details soon … This article was amended on 19 August. The WA premier had earlier indicated the body was that of a baby girl and had been in the drain for two weeks. Police later clarified that the child was a boy, and they believe he was placed in the drain in recent days.
This article was amended on 19 August. The WA premier had indicated the body was that of a baby girl, but police later clarified that the child was a boy.