Major Crime detectives are now leading the investigation into the death of a baby boy whose body was found in a motel room at Glen Osmond, at the foot of the South Eastern Freeway in Adelaide's south-eastern foothills.

Police say officers went to the Tollgate Motel on Saturday morning, 10 October, for a welfare check on an infant believed to be staying there. In a statement published by FIVEaa, SA Police said: "Police gained entry to a room where the body of a deceased infant was located. The infant had been deceased for a period of time."

What police have confirmed

A post-mortem examination was carried out on Monday, 12 October. Police said it "revealed the infant to be a boy aged about 6-7 months old."

Photo: Foraminifera / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0), cropped

Police have not stated a cause of death.

A 40-year-old man and a 42-year-old woman who had been living at the motel were arrested on Saturday. Police said they "were arrested and charged with criminal neglect and concealing human remains." Police have identified the pair as the boy's parents. Court documents viewed by the ABC allege the offences occurred between 9 August and 10 October 2026.

The pair appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday by bedside hearing and were remanded in custody until 3 May 2027. Nine and 7NEWS report neither applied for bail. The charges have not been tested in court.

The police statement, as reported by FIVEaa, said: "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. They have not had contact with South Australian authorities since this time."

Major Crime takes over

Eastern District detectives first handled the case. Police said that "due the nature and complexity of the incident and the resources required, Major Crime Investigation Branch have taken over the investigation."

Police Minister Michael Brown confirmed on Tuesday that charges had been laid. He later told parliament the baby had been deceased for "some time," the ABC reported.

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said investigators were continuing to work through the circumstances surrounding the death, 7NEWS reported.

The scene on Saturday

When the boy was found, police initially said they needed "more time to determine the nature and circumstances of the death," according to the ABC. The motel sits beside the South Eastern Freeway, about five kilometres south-east of the Adelaide CBD. Officers set up a cordon around one room and left the scene by mid-afternoon.

Police appeal

Police are asking for help from anyone who has stayed at the Tollgate Motel. The statement, published by FIVEaa, says detectives want to hear from "anyone who has information about the occupants of room 4." People can contact Crime Stoppers at www.crimestopperssa.com.au or on 1800 333 000, and they can stay anonymous.

Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online at crimestopperssa.com.au. You can stay anonymous.

If this story has raised concerns for you, support is available from Lifeline on 13 11 14. Young people can call Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800.