Port MacDonnell, South Australia: Search for baby resumes after body of mum, toddler found in ocean

The desperate search for a missing baby has resumed after the bodies of a mother and toddler were found in the ocean on Monday.

Police are searching the waters along the cliffs of Port MacDonnell, off South Australia’s Limestone Coast, for the child.

Emergency services were contacted after a car was found abandoned near Cape Northumberland about 11.15am on Monday with its engine running.

Soon after, officers located the bodies of a 36-year-old woman and a toddler in the ocean, who have since been identified.

The woman was from Compton, near Mount Gambier. The age of the toddler has not yet been released.

As the search resumes, officers from the Water Operations Unit, CFS and SES volunteers will help.

Detectives from the Major Crime Investigation Branch and specialist officers from the Forensic Response Section are also at the scene, which is about 400 kilometres south-east of Adelaide.

Predicted bad weather could hamper Tuesday’s search efforts on the water; however, police said thermal imaging drones would be used, in addition to searches of the coastline on foot.

On Monday night, after the search was called off due to poor light, Superintendent Trent Cox said they held “grave concerns” for the baby.

“We do hold grave concerns,” he said.

“The child is less than one year old.

“In any conditions that would cause great concern about the child’s ability to survive if not in the water.

“We’re keeping an open mind about everything, but I don’t hold out great hope.”

Monday’s search efforts included emergency services, volunteers, and local fishing crews.

Police are calling on anyone who may have seen the car, a white 2015 Isuzu MUX with SA Registration S592BJR, or has any dashcam footage to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 and quote #195585.

“The reason we’ve made that public appeal is that we’re trying to build a picture of the woman’s movements leading up to her arriving at Cape Northumberland,” Supt Cox said.

He added that it was not yet clear how the woman and toddler entered the water and that police were “keeping an open mind”.

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