WAGGA WAGGA – A heartbreaking discovery has sent shockwaves through the Riverina community after a newborn baby was found deceased in a tent, while a second infant remains in critical condition.

A Grim Discovery by the River
The emergency unfolded at approximately 4:20 PM on Saturday, May 2, 2026. Emergency services were called to a makeshift campsite at Cadell Place, located near the popular Wagga Beach and the Murrumbidgee River, following urgent concerns for the welfare of the occupants.
Upon arriving at the scene, NSW Police officers and paramedics discovered the body of a newborn infant inside a tent. A second infant was found nearby in a dire state and was immediately treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics. The surviving child was rushed to Wagga Wagga Base Hospital, where they remain in intensive care in critical condition.
A crime scene has been established at Wagga Beach. Picture by Kabel Dawes
A 37-year-old woman found at the site was also transported to the hospital for medical assessment and remains under the supervision of authorities.

Police Launch Investigation
A crime scene was established immediately, with forensic teams and detectives from the Riverina Police District cordoning off the area around Cadell Place. Investigators spent the evening scouring the campsite for evidence to determine the circumstances surrounding the death and the living conditions of the family.
“This is a tragic set of circumstances,” a NSW Police spokesperson stated. “Our priority is to establish exactly what happened leading up to this afternoon and to ensure the surviving infant receives the best possible care.”
As of now, the cause of the newborn’s death has not been confirmed, pending a formal post-mortem examination. Detectives are also investigating how long the group had been staying in the tent and whether they had been in contact with any support services.

Community in Mourning
The incident has sparked widespread grief and raised serious questions regarding homelessness and the safety of vulnerable children in the region. Local residents have expressed their disbelief that such a tragedy could occur in a public area so close to the city’s central business district.
Police are urging anyone with information, or anyone who may have witnessed activities at the Cadell Place campsite over the past week, to contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000.