A mother and her toddler have been found dead off the coast of South Australia, and a baby is missing, prompting a major search operation, according to police.
Discovery of Bodies
The bodies of a woman and a young child were recovered from the water near Cape Jervis, about 100 kilometers south of Adelaide, on Tuesday morning. Police believe the victims are a 36-year-old woman and her two-year-old daughter.
Authorities have not yet formally identified the bodies, but they are treating the incident as suspicious. A search is underway for a missing baby, believed to be the woman's infant son.
Search Operation
South Australia Police have deployed multiple resources, including the water operations unit, police divers, and the police helicopter, to search the surrounding waters and coastline. The search area extends from Cape Jervis to the town of Normanville.
“We are conducting a thorough search of the area, both on land and water, to locate the missing infant,” said Detective Superintendent Des Bray. “We are appealing to anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the area to come forward.”
Investigation
Police are investigating the circumstances leading to the deaths. They have not ruled out any possibilities, including the involvement of a third party. The family of the victims has been notified and is being supported by police.
“This is a tragic incident, and our thoughts are with the family,” Superintendent Bray added. “We are doing everything we can to find the missing baby and determine what happened.”
Public Appeal
Authorities are urging anyone with information, particularly boaters or residents near the coast, to contact Crime Stoppers. They are also reviewing CCTV footage from nearby areas.
The incident has shocked the local community. Cape Jervis is a popular spot for fishing and ferry services to Kangaroo Island. Police have cordoned off part of the area as they continue their investigation.
