Woman appears in court after baby’s body found in Freemans Bay wheelie bin

The woman has been remanded in custody on a charge of interfering with human remains after the body of a newborn baby was found in a Freemans Bay wheelie bin.

At a hearing this morning in Auckland District Court, the woman’s lawyer, Joon Yi, applied for her interim name suppression to be continued.

Police applied for the summary of facts to be suppressed.

Judge Pippa Sinclair granted both applications until full arguments can be heard on the issues on October 15.

The defendant attended court via video link and was supported in the courtroom by her aunt and father.

The 32-year-old was arrested on July 2.

During a brief hearing in Auckland District Court on the day of her arrest, before Community Magistrate Rosemary Fitzpatrick, Yi said his client was unable to attend because she was in hospital.

The defence sought and was granted interim name suppression at that hearing. Bail was not sought.

Detective Inspector Scott Beard said earlier this month that police discovered the child about 10pm on July 1, on Renall St.

“Sadly, I can confirm the deceased is a newborn baby, and they were discovered in a wheelie bin outside an address.

“This is a tragedy for everyone concerned, and there is a person’s wellbeing to consider here alongside the investigation, so we will ensure the woman gets the support she needs.

“Police acknowledge this will understandably be quite confronting information for the community to grapple with.

Flowers were at the scene after a newborn baby's body was found in a wheelie bin outside a home in Renall St, Freemans Bay. Photo / Dean Purcell

“Our inquiries remain ongoing, and it will take some time for a thorough investigation to be completed.

“We are continuing to ask for those in the community that might have information or CCTV footage that could assist us to get in touch.”

Police cordoned off street after discovery

Police cordoned off Renall St, off Ponsonby Rd, as they investigated the discovery earlier this month.

A bouquet of pink roses was laid at the cordon.

Renall St remained cordoned off while police investigated the death of a newborn baby.

A scene guard stood at the taped-off crossing.

From the cordon, police wearing gloves could be seen entering and leaving a property that was also wrapped in police tape.

A cafe worker told the Herald that police had told them “not to touch anything” near the street.

According to staff from another cafe, police said they believed there was no danger to the community.

Police confirmed on July 2 that a baby had been found dead at the scene. Photo / Carson Bluck

Autopsy carried out

An autopsy took place to determine the next steps in the homicide investigation, Baird said earlier this month.

“The result is not yet known, and police will provide further updates as the investigation allows.

“We would ask the public to avoid speculation given what has occurred and allow investigators to carry out their work.”

Police blocked off Renall St, off Ponsonby Rd, during initial investigations of the incident. Photo / Carson Bluck

Police would be canvassing the area as part of the investigation, and seeking CCTV from Renall St residents.

“We will ... also [be] searching other wheelie bins in order to secure any additional evidence that may be relevant to the investigation.”

In 2021, a baby girl was found dead at a recycling plant in Onehunga.

The mother was never found.

“This baby girl is lying in a mortuary with no name and no one to give her the funeral she deserves so she can be laid to rest,” Beard said earlier.

Another dead baby was found in a rubbish bin at Auckland’s Middlemore Hospital in 2021.

At the time, a source told the Herald the infant was found in a toilet bin.

It is understood the mother had been taken to hospital by family members shortly before the baby was born.

Police charged a woman, who later pleaded guilty to concealing the dead body of a child.

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