Woman arrested over death of baby found in Sydney bin

A 24-year-old woman believed to be the mother of a baby found dead in a Sydney bin last month has been arrested. Police said she was taken to hospital for assessment and arrested after she was released.

The woman was located and taken into custody after emergency services were called to Harrow Road, Auburn, at 11:20am on August 31 following reports a baby's body was discovered in a garbage bin of a unit block.

In a statement, NSW Police said the woman "believed to be the mother of the infant" was taken to hospital for assessment. "Upon release from hospital, the woman was arrested and taken to Auburn Police Station where inquiries are continuing," it read.

Acting Superintendent of the Auburn Police Area Command Darren Sly told reporters at the time the unclothed baby boy's body was found in a plastic bag. He said "It's very traumatic for that particular lady who found that baby," and added "It's a newborn baby who now has passed away and of course it's sad and a horrific set of circumstances."

On the day of the discovery, officers urged the baby's mother to come forward, with Acting Superintendent Sly saying "If there was to be any police action that is not our priority whatsoever, our only priority at the moment is for the welfare of that mother."

The woman has been taken to Auburn Police Station, where inquiries are ongoing.