A woman has come forward to talk to police, two days after a baby boy was found dead in a stormwater drain.
Tradesmen made the grim discovery while cleaning a drain on La Salle Road in the Perth suburb of Alexander Heights on Monday afternoon.
Detectives believe the newborn, wrapped in a sheet, had been placed in the drain several days earlier, sparking a search for the baby’s mother amid ‘serious concerns’ for her welfare.
Police confirmed on Wednesday night that a woman aged in her 30s was assisting with inquiries.
‘The Western Australia Police Force would like to thank the community for their concern, support and assistance,’ the statement read.
‘Given the sensitivities, we will be making no further comment at this time.’
The woman is receiving appropriate care and support.
‘The care of the mother should be all of our priorities at the moment,’ WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch told ABC Radio earlier in the day.
Shocked tradesmen made the grim discovery while cleaning a stormwater drain on Monday
A woman has come forward two days after police launched a desperate search for the baby’s mother. Pictured are police at the scene
‘There’s probably a range of reasons (she hadn’t come forward), including legal, but health reasons, mental health reasons, all sorts of reasons why that mother needs the best care we can give them, and I think that’s got to be everyone’s priority right now.’
The tradesmen were clearing the drains of debris and assessing for blockages when they came across the the grim discovery.
‘It was by coincidence that they were there,’ Detective Senior Sergeant Cleal said.
‘There was no information that sent workers to that drain. This was a chance discovery.
‘Not that you can prepare for a discovery like this, but they were very unprepared.’
The tragedy has shocked locals, who have placed tributes near the scene and will hold a candlelight vigil at Highview Park on Saturday night.
‘Having to physically be in the area where a poor innocent infant is just heartbreaking,’ one woman told Seven News.
Shocked locals have placed stuffed toys and flowers near the scene
Locals will hold a community vigil for the baby boy on Saturday night
WA Premier Roger Cook added: ‘This is a horrifying, horrifying scenario, from the mother of this child through to the discovery of this child’s body by those drain workers.
‘I cannot think of a more harrowing set of circumstances for people to be confronted with.
‘This goes to the heart of everyone’s sense of humanity, a small child whose life has passed under tragic circumstances.’
