Police investigate after body of baby found on the beach — Maroubra

Police take away what is believed to be evidence or remains. Pic: Cameron Richardson Source: News Corp Australia

GRAVE concerns are held for the mother of a baby found dead at Maroubra beach in Sydney’s east on Sunday morning.

Police have appealed for the parents of the newborn – discovered naked only 30cm below the soft sand and too decomposed to determine its age or gender – to come forward.

“Police are concerned about the welfare of the mother involved and hope she sought medical assistance,” Inspected Andrew Holland said.

“We hope that she sought medical assistance and that she feels confident enough to contact Eastern Beaches detectives.”

The horrifying discovery was made by two boys, aged 6 and 7, playing footy in the sand after their nippers training around 10am yesterday.

It’s believed the boys’ father tried to calm them saying the body they’d found buried may have been that of a little dog, but the reality was much more disturbing.

Police work at the southern end of Maroubra beach. Picture Cameron Richardson

Police set up a crime scene at the site of the baby’s shallow grave. Pic: Cameron Richardson Source: News Corp Australia

A crime scene was established and the area evacuated. Source: News Corp Australia

Police are appealing for anyone with information to come forward. Source: News Corp Australia

Police were called and beachgoers looked on in horror as a blue tent was set up over the site of the infant’s shallow grave.

A crime scene was established and police and lifesavers evacuated the area, as the boys who discovered the body, as well as lifeguards and other witnesses were given counselling.

Too decomposed to determine its gender or age, police are hoping pathology tests today will offer more information about the “very small infant” as they investigate the possibility it was only a few days old along with suggestions the child may have been stillborn.

A post-mortem examination is set to be conducted today.

Police scoured the area and collected a large amount of sand from the surrounds as evidence, though the had very little to go by with the baby left without a blanket or any clothing.

“We’re making some inquiries through births, deaths and marriages to determine where we can find the parents of this child,” Inspected Holland said.

“We’re hopeful the parents will come forward.”

Hope is also held CCTV footage from the local surf club and businesses in the area may lead police to information that will help identify the family of the baby.

The discovery comes only a week after a group of cyclists rescued an infant whose cries they heard coming from the bottom of a roadside drain in the city’s west.

Police said the baby had spent five days in the drain.

The baby’s mother has been charged with attempted murder.

Officials on Sunday said they were hunting through hospital records to try and find the parents of the baby buried at the beach.

Inspector Holland said the discovery of the baby’s body had been upsetting for all involved.

“Everyone’s upset,” he said.

“Something like this doesn’t like this doesn’t happen every day and will affect everyone at the surf club involved.”

Police are urging anyone with information in relation to this incident to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page.