Belief parents ‘sacrificed’ baby

BRISBANE: The family of a 9monthold girl whose body washed ashore on a Gold Coast beach ‘‘sacrificed’’ the baby by throwing her into the water in NSW, police in Queensland believe.

Sources familiar with the investigation have told AAP the family of four were tracked on CCTV travelling from the Gold Coast to the Jack Evans Boat Harbour, across the border in Tweed Heads, on Saturday.

It is alleged the naked baby was thrown into the harbour and her empty pram abandoned alongside the waterway.

Queensland police then captured images of the now trio catching a bus at Coolangatta and returning to Queensland, sources said.

The baby’s body is believed to have drifted about 30km in the current for two days before washing ashore at Surfers Paradise, where she was found by passersby about 12.30am on Monday.

Queensland Police confirmed in a statement on Tuesday night that the baby’s death occurred in NSW but gave no further details.

Yesterday, NSW Detective Chief Inspector Wayne Walpole told reporters in Tweed Heads police were using divers in the Tweed River and the Jack Evans Boat Harbour.

‘‘Clearly the child was located in the water up at Surfers Paradise, he said. ‘‘We want to know how the child got there. We are looking for evidence that could assist us.’’

The father’s hearing to be extradited to NSW was delayed in Southport Magistrates Court yesterday because he faced other charges that must be dealt with before the extradition can proceed.

He appeared wearing a white hospital gown and was represented by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service. The 48yearold is yet to be formally charged over the death.

It is believed the 23yearold mother will not face charges, and has been released into the Queensland mental health system.