Perth newborn found dead in drain; homicide inquiry; mother charged

A newborn boy found dead in a stormwater drain in a Perth suburb has prompted a homicide investigation and a national appeal for the infant’s mother to come forward. The body was discovered on La Salle Road in Alexander Heights by two maintenance workers during routine drain clearance on Monday afternoon. Police say the child was placed in the drain in recent days and there is no evidence he was washed through the drainage system. A woman in her 30s is assisting investigators, and later in the week she was charged with concealing the birth of a deceased child as the inquiry progressed.

Detectives from the homicide squad have taken carriage of the case, with forensic testing and canvassing of hospitals, medical centres and CCTV footage forming the core of the ongoing work. Investigators emphasised that the two workers who found the infant faced a highly disturbing scene, noting that the discovery was a “coincidence” rather than a targeted search. Authorities have stressed the need to locate the child’s mother, citing concerns for her health and welfare and the importance of ensuring she receives medical and mental health support.

Police public statements over several days...