A mother has been charged after a baby boy was found dead in a stormwater drain.
Tradies carrying out maintenance work on La Salle Rd in Alexander Heights, in Perth‘s northern suburbs, found the newborn about 1pm on Monday.
A 31-year-old woman has been charged with concealing the birth of a deceased child, after she was tracked down by detectives on Wednesday.
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“The woman is continuing to receive appropriate care and support,” Detective Acting Inspector Jessica Securo said.
The accused is due to face Perth Magistrates Court on September 12, 2025.
Police do not believe the baby boy died in violent circumstances, although the investigation into his passing is ongoing.
It is unclear if he was dead when placed in the drain.
The boy did not have a name, authorities confirmed.
Flowers and toys have been left where a newborn baby was found in a storm drain. Credit: 7NEWS
Detective Acting Inspector Jessica Securo said the baby boy did not have a name. Credit: 7NEWS
Police will allege the “child was in the drain for a short amount of time” before he was found wrapped in a sheet, although they would not comment further on what that timeframe meant.
“We’re extremely lucky that the two tradesmen came across that child,” Securo said.
“As you can imagine, 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 community has been credited with helping police in their search for the mum, who is assisting authorities as she receives medical care.
“The investigation is still ongoing however anyone in this woman’s situation I would describe as vulnerable,” Securo said.
“Therefore our ultimate priority was getting her that medical care, getting her that mental health support, getting everything she needed in that space.”
Police would not comment on what the mother has told authorities so far.
“The mother is cooperating with police. Our priority is to give her both that physical and health support,” Securo said.
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