Detectives in Perth are investigating the suspicious death of a three-year-old boy at a house in the city's southwest.
St John Ambulance arrived at the home in Hilton, near Fremantle, shortly before 2pm (WST) on Monday to find the boy unconscious.
Neither St John Ambulance nor WA police would confirm reports the boy's mother, a 24-year-old woman, found the pre-schooler inside a washing machine.
Detective Senior Sergeant Doug Nelson of the Fremantle district crime team said the boy was taken to Fremantle Hospital and was pronounced dead there.
"We are now conducting inquiries into what happened at the house today and those inquiries are ongoing as we speak," he told AAP.
"I'm not prepared at this stage to comment on what may or may not have occurred inside the house at this stage."
Forensic investigations at the scene and a post-mortem examination have not yet been completed.
The boy's mother and "several members of the family" are being interviewed at Fremantle police station, Sen Sgt Nelson said.
"It's very distressing for everyone who's concerned," he said.
"Obviously, for the family of the young boy who's passed away, the first responders who have to attend, the St John staff, the medical staff and also the young police officers and the detectives who have to deal with it.
"It's distressing for everyone. So, obviously, we have things in place to assist people who are affected by it where we can."
Subject: Police probe death of three-year-old boy 
September 21st 2010, 2:45 am
