Police are hunting for the mother of a baby who was found dead in South Auckland this morning.
A member of the public found the baby while walking through the reserve on Moa Ave in Mangere Bridge at about 8.30am Thursday.
Equator Dausso, 30, who works next door, picked flowers and said a prayer while he was on his lunch break in the park this afternoon.
He told the New Zealand Herald that he felt very emotional, especially as he’s a father of five.
“It just shocked me,” he told the paper. “I came down to say a little prayer.”
Another worker from the area, Uaa Meti, said it had sent chills down their spine, to know that something so tragic had happened so nearby.
Some local residents speculated that the mother may have been “young and desperate,” who didn’t know how to deal with new motherhood.
And although most seemed to agree it was a quiet area, local mother of four Melanie Kieenan said of the reserve: “if you want to commit a crime that’s the place to go.”
Police said they are waiting to confirm details, but that the baby was potentially a newborn at the time of its death.
“We have serious concerns for the well-being of the baby’s mother and our initial focus will be on identifying who she is,” said Detective Senior Sergeant Karen Bright.
She added that anyone who wished to speak with the police could do so in confidence, as their main concern is the welfare of the mother.
“Anyone who wishes to speak with police can call Counties Manukau Crime Squad on (09) 261 1321 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111,” said Bright.
