Police have urged a mother they believe gave birth on the banks of a Sydney river to visit a hospital immediately, as they were unsuccessful in their initial search for the woman and her baby.
Detectives are no closer to learning what happened to the woman after an umbilical cord and placenta were found on the banks of the Cooks River at Earlwood on Monday afternoon.
Police set up a screen to shield their investigation from view at Cooks River in Earlwood near where a placenta was found on its banks.Credit: Janie Barrett
Search teams have scoured mangroves, fields and drains after the discovery by a dog walker. By Tuesday afternoon they had been assisted by divers, police dogs and helicopters.
Earlier addressing journalists, Burwood Detective Chief Superintendent Christine McDonald said police had located “an area that we need to do further forensic examination”.
But by 1.30pm, it emerged the new search area – which police had covered with blue tarps and carried bags to and from – was a dead end. The new spot they were searching had led them to a buried cat.
Police search the Cooks River in Earlwood after a placenta was found on its banks in Sydney.Credit: Janie Barrett
They were expected to pack up and leave that site within hours.
McDonald said all lines of inquiry were being looked into, but the paramount concern was for the mother and child’s safety.
She stressed there was no judgment surrounding the circumstances of the birth, and it may be the case the mother did not want anyone to know about her situation. McDonald said the woman would be supported if she went to a hospital.
“Childbirth, for many people, can be a traumatic time. And it can be very distressing,” she said.
“I am deeply concerned for the safety and the mental health of the mother. And also for the safety of her baby. I ask that she comes forward to health services, to police, to anyone that can offer her any form of support during this very difficult time. I need to know that she’s safe.”
How the umbilical cord became detached was part of their investigation, with McDonald unable to say if it was cut.
The possibility that the mother gave birth elsewhere and was at the river afterwards was also being investigated.
“Anyone that may have seen any distressed woman or pregnant woman in the area is encouraged to come forward and provide police with any information that could also extend to the birth occurring elsewhere,” she said.
“Anyone in the vicinity of Lang Road, Wardell Road and Ewen Park on Monday is asked to come forward with any information.”
While police do not know who the mother is, they urged anyone who might know to contact Crime Stoppers, which can be done anonymously.
Pathologists were undergoing DNA testing of the placenta in the hope of soon determining the baby’s gender and exactly when the birth occurred.
McDonald said police were “working against the clock” due to the flow of the river, which was out at midday yesterday and began to retreat last night.
A police dog searches the Cooks River in Earlwood after a placenta was found on its banks in Sydney.Credit: Janie Barrett
NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said he had been briefed on the case, and couldn’t imagine what the mother is going through.
“I want to say this very clearly to her ... you’re not in trouble, you don’t have to talk to the police. The only thing I ask that you do is make your way to one of our hospitals so we can care for you and your baby as quickly as possible,” he said.
“We are worried about you, we are worried about your health and we want to give you and your child the very, very best access to healthcare.”
Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
Most Viewed in National
https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMigwFodHRwczovL3d3dy5zbWguY29tLmF1L25hdGlvbmFsL25zdy9wb2xpY2Utc2VhcmNoLW5ldy1zaXRlLW9uLWJhbmtzLW9mLWNvb2tzLXJpdmVyLW5lYXItd2hlcmUtd29tYW4tZ2F2ZS1iaXJ0aC0yMDI0MDUyOC1wNWpoN3guaHRtbNIBAA?oc=5
2024-05-28 01:25:32Z
CBMigwFodHRwczovL3d3dy5zbWguY29tLmF1L25hdGlvbmFsL25zdy9wb2xpY2Utc2VhcmNoLW5ldy1zaXRlLW9uLWJhbmtzLW9mLWNvb2tzLXJpdmVyLW5lYXItd2hlcmUtd29tYW4tZ2F2ZS1iaXJ0aC0yMDI0MDUyOC1wNWpoN3guaHRtbNIBAA
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Mystery deepens over woman believed to have given birth at Sydney river as police leave site - Sydney Morning Herald"
Post a Comment