Emergency services are intensifying their search for a missing baby after the bodies of a mother and her toddler were recovered from the ocean near Port MacDonnell, South Australia. The discovery followed the report of an abandoned car found with its engine still running near Cape Northumberland around 11:15 a.m. on Monday.
Police officers located the bodies of a woman and a young child in the ocean shortly after the vehicle was reported. The deceased have been identified as a 36-year-old woman from Compton, near Mount Gambier, and her toddler. The child is less than one year old.
Superintendent Trent Cox expressed grave concerns for the baby's survival, stating, "In any conditions that would cause great concern about the child's ability to survive if not in the water." He added that while police are keeping an open mind, "I don't hold out great hope."
The search efforts on Monday, which involved the Water Operations Unit, Country Fire Service, and State Emergency Service volunteers, along with local fishing crews, were halted at dusk due to poor light.
Authorities are preparing for potential disruptions to the water search on Tuesday due to predicted bad weather. However, police plan to continue coastal searches on foot and utilize thermal imaging drones. Detectives from the Major Crime Investigation Branch and specialist officers from the Forensic Response Section are on scene.
Police are appealing for public assistance, requesting information from anyone who may have seen the woman's vehicle, a white 2015 Isuzu MUX with South Australian registration S592BJR, or anyone with dashcam footage of the area. Those with information are urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Superintendent Cox stated the public appeal aims to "build a picture of the woman's movements leading up to her arriving at Cape Northumberland."