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yesterday

Perth Magistrate Hears Disability Evidence in Newborn Drain Case, Sets October 24 Date

The case centers on a charge of concealing the birth of a deceased child with police inquiries continuing.

A court has been told the mother of a baby that was found in a stormwater drain suffers from a significant intellectual disability and has a mental health diagnosis. The West Australian/ NewsWire

Overview

  • At her first Perth Magistrates Court appearance, the accused was described by her lawyer as having a significant intellectual disability and a mental health diagnosis.
  • A Disability Services Commission report tendered to the court found her IQ in the extremely low range.
  • The defence sought suppression of her identity to protect her safety, characterizing her as extremely vulnerable.
  • Magistrate Elisabeth Langdon acknowledged the complexity of her disabilities and adjourned proceedings to October 24.
  • WA Police say maintenance workers discovered the newborn boy’s body on August 18 in Perth’s north, and investigators believe it was placed in the drain only days before it was found.