Charges laid after baby found dead at Adelaide motel

A 40-year-old man and a 42-year-old woman have been charged with criminal neglect and concealing human remains after the body of a baby boy was found at an Adelaide motel on Saturday.

Warning: Readers are advised this article contains content some may find distressing.

In a statement, police said the couple, who had been residing in room four at the Tollgate Motel, were arrested on Saturday and appeared before the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday via a bedside hearing.

Police said the baby boy was about six to seven months old and had been "deceased for a period of time".

Investigation underway

"Initial investigations have revealed the man and woman had been staying at the motel since their arrival in South Australia at the beginning of this year," SA police said in a statement.

"They have not had contact with South Australian authorities since this time."

Emergency services were called to the motel, which is adjacent to the South Eastern Freeway, five kilometres south-east of the Adelaide CBD, for a welfare check on Saturday morning.

Police said that due to the "nature and complexity of the incident" the force's Major Crime Investigation Branch had taken over the investigation.

Charges laid

According to court documents, the duo have been charged with one count of criminal neglect and one count of concealing human remains to pervert the course of justice.

The documents alleged the offences occurred between August 9 and October 10, 2026.

The duo were remanded in custody until their next scheduled court hearing in May next year.

Police Minister confirms charges

Before police confirmed the arrests, South Australia's Police Minister Michael Brown said charges had been laid following the death of an infant, who was found by police at the Tollgate Motel on Saturday.

"I've been advised that charges have been laid, but at this time I don't have any other information I can give you unfortunately," he said.

Post-mortem completed

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said a post-mortem was completed on Sunday.

"This is a very sensitive, ongoing investigation," he said.

"Obviously, very upsetting for everybody connected to the investigation, a very difficult job."

Premier comments on child protection

SA Premier Peter Malinauskas said the parents of the child were not known to the state's child protection agency.

"I am in a position to be able to advise that this family and this child was not known to South Australian department of child protection, but there are still active inquiries underway across other agencies," he said.

Investigation appeal

Police have asked anyone who had stayed at the motel, particularly those who may have information about the occupants of room four, to contact Crime Stoppers.