UPDATE: A newborn baby boy was tragically found dead in a stormwater drain in Perth around 1:00 PM on September 25, 2023, and authorities are urgently appealing for information about his mother. The heartbreaking discovery was made by workers clearing drains on La Salle Rd in Alexander Heights, revealing a distressing scene that has shocked the community.
Authorities confirmed the infant was placed in the drain “only in recent days.” Detective Senior Sergeant Stephen Cleal stated, “Evidence suggests it is a newborn child,” adding that there is no indication the boy was washed into the drain. The Homicide Squad is leading the investigation, working tirelessly to uncover the circumstances surrounding this tragic event.
“There’s been a forensic examination at that scene,” Cleal explained, emphasizing the ongoing analysis of forensic evidence. Police are prioritizing the identification of the child’s mother, expressing serious concerns for her welfare. “If you are watching, if you are listening, if you are that mother, please come forward and make yourself known to police. We would love to help you,” he urged.
Residents have left flowers and toys at the site as a tribute to the boy, with one local expressing heartache over the discovery. “Having to actually physically be in the area where you know just a poor, innocent infant was found dead is just heartbreaking,” they said.
The child’s cause of death remains unclear, prompting authorities to reach out to local hospitals and medical centers for assistance in their investigation. Cleal described the situation as “highly distressing and confronting” for the workers who made the grim discovery during routine drain clearing.
“This was a chance discovery,” Cleal noted, highlighting that there was no prior information directing workers to that specific drain. Police are actively seeking any CCTV footage from the area, urging the public to report any suspicious activity. “Whether you believe it’s significant or not, please let us know,” he pressed.
The emotional toll of this incident has been felt widely, with WA Premier Roger Cook calling it a “horrible, horrible series of events.” He remarked, “This goes to the heart of everyone’s sense of humanity, a small child whose life has passed under tragic circumstances.”
Anyone with information is strongly encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers as authorities seek to bring closure to this devastating case.
