Newborn baby boy found dead inside storm water drain sparking major hunt for mum

A baby boy was found dead yesterday inside a storm water drain in Perth, Australia prompting a major public appeal for the mother to come forward.

Tradesmen made the shocking discovery of the infant inside a drain on La Salle Road in the suburb of Alexander Heights about 1pm in the afternoon. The "distressing" discovery triggered a city-wide alert to maternity hospitals as authorities revealed they believed the baby had been placed into the drain, according to Nine News.

Western Australia Police Detective Senior Sergeant Stephen Cleal said: ""The evidence suggests the little boy came to be in that location in recent days. There is no evidence to suggest that little boy was washed through. We believe the child was placed in that drain in that location."

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Cleal disclosed the investigation was now in the hands of the homicide squad and added police held serious concerns for the welfare of the infant's mother.

"We want to help that mother," Cleal said. "We have serious health concerns for that mother. Our priority is to get her the medical help that she needs."

"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."

Cleal added that it was purely "coincidence" the tradesmen found the baby's body while working to clear drains in the area.

"This was a chance discovery, they were very unprepared, not that you can prepare for a discovery like this, but they were very unprepared, it was a coincidence. It was very distressing for them. My heart goes out to them in what was a shocking and confronting discovery."

Detectives are canvassing hospitals and medical centres for help and CCTV footage of the area is being examined. A forensic investigation of the drain is also being carried out and police are still unsure of the child's background or other identifying details.

WA Premier Roger Cook previously said the newborn boy had been in the drain for two weeks, however police later clarified the child was placed there "recently".

The state leader described the incident as a "horrifying scenario".

"The mother of that child must be incredibly distressed," Cook said.

"Those workers that discovered the child's body were confronted with the most distressing of circumstances. 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."