#infant-death

#infant-death

A woman is assisting police after a baby boy was found dead inside a storm water drain. Two workers carrying out routine maintenance made the confronting discovery in Alexander Heights in Perth's northern suburbs on Monday afternoon. Western Australia police confirmed a woman in her 30s is assisting with their investigation into the newborn's death. The woman is receiving appropriate care and support, police said in a statement on Wednesday evening.

The prosecution alleges Victoria died from hypothermia or was smothered while co-sleeping in a 'flimsy' tent after they took her off-grid in a bid to stop her from being taken into care.

The medical examiner clarified that although the infant had injuries from a dog bite, these occurred post-mortem, indicating the baby did not die from the mauling.

On Wednesday, the medical examiner determined that the infant had died before she was mauled by the dog.

She said, 'No, this dog don't bite.' I said, 'All dogs bite. That dog needs to be on a leash.'

"I am finished with my testimony... jurors could draw inferences from my decision to cut short my evidence."

During the trial at Old Bailey, Constance Marten chose to stop her cross-examination by prosecutor Joel Smith, who faced backlash over his questioning approach.

Jurors at the Old Bailey were informed that Mark Gordon will represent himself in his retrial over the neglect leading to the death of his infant daughter.