Little miracle survives five days dumped in a stormwater drain: Police questioning the 30-year-old mother

 

A NEWBORN baby may have been in a stormwater drain for up to five days before he was found yesterday by passing cyclists.

The malnourished baby boy was discovered at the bottom of a 2.4m-deep drain beside a cycle path which runs alongside the M7 at Quakers Hill about 7.30am.

It took six men, including three police officers, to lift a 200kg concrete slab covering the drain and rescue the baby, who was still wrapped in his hospital blanket.

Police were last night questioning the boy’s 30-year-old-mother, who was taken to hospital suffering chest pains about 7pm. She could be charged with attempted­ murder.

Officers were trying to determine just when the baby was dumped in the drain but it is understood they are investigating the possibility the child had been there since Tuesday.

The baby boy was found down this drain at Quakers Hill / Picture: Cameron Richardson Source: News Corp Australia

Police believe he was pushed through a small gap at the top of the drain and may have suffered internal injuries from the fall. He was taken to The Children’s Hospital at Westmead in a serious but stable condition.

David Otte was cycling with his 18-year-old daughter Hayley when they heard a strange noise from the drain.

“We actually thought it was a kitten­ at first but when we went down there we could hear exactly what it was — you could definitely tell it was a baby screaming,” Mr Otte said.

Mr Otte and other cyclists quickly contacted police, who rushed to help with the rescue.

Senior Constable Mark McAlister was among the first there and helped to move the slab before climbing into the drain with another officer.

Cyclist David Otte and daughter Hayley found a baby boy while riding along a bike track beside the M7. Picture: Cameron Richardson Source: News Corp Australia

“It was a bit surreal actually,” Sen Constable McAlister said. “How could someone do it? I have kids and we’re expecting a baby in a few more months so it’s not good that someone’s going through this and has done this to a little one.”

Constable Patrick Morgan, who only joined the police force 12 weeks ago, also helped.

“I just couldn’t believe a baby was down there. I was in shock. Luckily there were a lot of people here to help,” Constable Morgan said.

Inside the drain you get a clearer indication of the 2.4m drop the child enduredafter being dumped beside the M7. Picture Cameron Richardson Source: News Corp Australia

Westlink M7 staff use a crane to put the cover back onto the drain after it was removed earlier to save the baby. Picture: Cameron Richardson Source: News Corp Australia

A photo of the baby boy in Sen Constable McAlister’s arms was widely circulated on social media yesterday as police appealed for the baby’s parents to come forward. Yesterday afternoon a Quakers Hill woman met with detectives and was interviewed for several hours.

BUBS THAT WENT BEFORE...

August 2012: Six-week-old baby dumped on Joseph St, Lidcombe. Parents found arguing at Lidcombe station and child removed from family.
March 2013: Baby Ahn, abandoned hours after being born at Canterbury Hospital. 30-year-old Korean mother left him at the hospital.
April 2014: Baby "Mai", 18-month-old left on the doorstep of a Western Sydney home. Mother was taken to immigration detention but released on a bridging visa.

A concerned Mr Otte delivered baby clothes to the hospital for the baby yesterday afternoon. “We’re just thinking about the little fella, he’s a beautiful, beautiful baby,” he said.

Inspector David Lagats said it was unlikely the boy would have survived in the drain yesterday, as temperatures in the area topped 40C.

“He was already malnourished and dehydration would have taken effect so I would have had grave fears for the child’s welfare had he been exposed to this weather for the rest of the day,” Insp Lagats said.

Department of Families and Community Services district director Lisa Charet said it was likely the child would be released from hospital into the care of the state. “When this sort of thing happens, people are in a place of desperation,” Ms Charet said.

Patrick Morgan, Mark McAllister and Darren McIntyre were the first police officers on the scene. Picture: Cameron Richardson Source: News Corp Australia