Irish backpacker charged in Australia with trying to hide newborn baby's body
An Irishwoman backpacking in Australia has been charged with hiding the body of her newborn baby.
The 25-year-old had been travelling in the Kimberley region with friends - and reportedly hadn't realised she was pregnant until she went into labour.
There are reports she gave birth alone in May while at home alone in the town of Halls Creek, that the infant may have been stillborn, and that she hid the news from her friends for several days.
The woman appeared in court in June and was told she must stay in the Perth area until she reappears in court again later this year.
ABC reporter Erin Parke said: "Most countries have legislation that requires mothers to report when a birth has occurred.
"Crime investigators travelled 2,000 miles from Perth and charged this woman with concealing the birth and not reporting it to the authorities."
The charge carries a maximum penalty of two years in jail.
