Dandenong, Melbourne: Bombshell twist as detectives probe shocking new theory about newborn baby found on a porch in a critical condition in the middle of the night – as mum, 25, is put under police guard

Victorian detectives are investigating whether a mother found with a newborn baby on her porch in the middle of the night knew she was pregnant. 

The infant was found by paramedics in a critical condition outside a home in the early hours of Friday morning after the alarm was raised by the woman’s partner.

The baby was discovered at a Gladstone Road address in Dandenong North, 27km south-east of the Melbourne’s CBD, with life-threatening injuries at about 2.40am.

The infant’s mother – a 25-year old disability worker known simply as Irene – was also taken to hospital where she remains under police guard.

Daily Mail Australia can reveal police have been told Irene may not have known she was pregnant before giving birth to the baby. 

Irene’s housemates told reporters they had no idea the mother was pregnant. 

‘We just woke up and there was an incident and we had to call triple zero and they came and helped us,’ said one woman, who wished to remain anonymous. 

Forensic police examined the scene outside the family home on Friday

Irene’s housemates believe she may have given birth to the child some time that day in the same home where the child was later found outside. 

The housemates were forced to spend the remainder of the night at the local police station while detectives investigated the scene. 

On Friday afternoon forensic police remained at the home where they were focused on an area in front of a parked car under the home’s car port. 

Detectives were also seen loitering around the area where they spoke to various members of the Kenyan community that arrived at the house.  

Irene’s housemates had only known her for about three weeks after meeting her at a local community group for members of the Kenyan community. 

She is believed to have lived at the property since May.  

The women claimed Irene’s partner had arrived at the home as the incident played out and pleaded to be let inside.

It is understood he then called paramedics to raise the alarm.  

Friends of Irene gathered outside the home on Friday 

Detectives are trying to work out how and why the baby ended up outside the home

Police question a man outside the home on Friday. He is believed to be a friend of the mother 

Irene’s house mates claimed she had complained about ‘cramps’ earlier that day. 

‘Things happened very quickly … we’re just hoping that our friend is alright,’ one woman said. 

‘We didn’t know she was pregnant. We’ve only known her three weeks and we do back-to-back shifts so we don’t get to (see) each other.’

It is understood Irene’s baby is no longer in a critical condition and is expected to survive its traumatic entry into the world. 

‘We pray for (Irene) and the baby,’ a house mate said. 

Irene was observed to be happy in the days before she suddenly gave birth to the child, her house mates said.

Queensland Police are working to identify the unknown man (pictured) who was seen running from the Brisbane park after the attack

The nine-month-old baby (pictured) has burns to 60 per cent of his body after a stranger threw scalding coffee over him

The incident comes after Australia was stunned by an alleged attack on a baby in a Brisbane Park. 

A woman and her baby were enjoying a picnic at Hanlon Park in Stones Corner about midday on Tuesday when they were approached by a stranger.

It is alleged the man poured a thermos of coffee over the little boy, causing burns to 60 per cent of his body, before fleeing the scene. 

Detectives have urged anyone with information on the Dandenong incident to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.