A shocking image showing a 16-year-old Noongar mother shackled to a hospital bed while in police custody in Joondalup has prompted condemnation from her family and a national advocacy group.

The teenager, who gave birth two months ago, was reportedly taken from her home on October 20 after a complaint was allegedly made by her former partner's family regarding possible child neglect.

Speaking with the National Indigenous Times, the child's Nan alleged police used excessive force during the incident and said the teenager remains traumatised by her treatment.

"This is what it's like for us as Aboriginal people," the girl's Nan said.

The girl's Nan said family members were present when police entered the home, where the baby was reportedly asleep.

She alleged officers grabbed the teenager, threw her against furniture and pulled her to the ground.

"She was getting changed. The baby was asleep," her Nan said.

She said her grandson was distressed by what he witnessed.

Prominent Noongar activist and community leader, Mervyn Eades, condemned the reported treatment, raising concerns about the circumstances of the complaint, the force allegedly used by police and the decision to restrain the teenager in hospital.

Mr Eades said the concerns raised about the baby's welfare were unfounded.

"The allegation they went there for was totally incorrect. There is nothing wrong with the child," he said.

He alleged the teenager was taken from her home without a top on and handled roughly by police. He also claimed she had marks across her chest and breasts following the incident.

Mr Eades alleged the young mother was subsequently charged with assaulting police and shackled to the hospital bed.

"To cover their backs, they charged her with assaulting them and put shackles on her," he said.

He described the treatment as disgraceful and said it reflected broader concerns about policing experienced by Aboriginal people.

"Hands off — that's our children. It's disgraceful," he said.

Mr Eades also raised concerns about possible coercive control involving the teenager's former partner, saying a call had reportedly been made from interstate. The circumstances surrounding the complaint and whether it was connected to the allegation have not been independently established.

The child's nan said the family believed the allegations reflected broader prejudice against Aboriginal families.

"My granddaughter is a good mum and she's a good sister," she said.

When she visited her granddaughter in Joondalup Health Campus hospital earlier on Wednesday, the child's nan said she was shocked to see her granddaughter restrained.

"All my granddaughter did was cry," she said. "I couldn't believe the chains on her."

The child's Nan also alleged she was initially refused access before another staff member helped arrange a visit.

She said the baby was safe with family and maintained there was nothing wrong with the child.

The teenager's current medical condition and the reasons for her hospital admission and restraints have not been independently confirmed or explained to the family.

The National Network of Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls condemned the reported incident, renewing calls for enforceable protections against shackling women and girls during childbirth and the postnatal period.

Founding member Debbie Kilroy said the case followed federal parliament's rejection of proposed legislation from Senator Lidia Thorpe addressing shackling during childbirth.

"She is a child. She is a young mother. She should be receiving healthcare, dignity and protection," Kilroy said.

The organisation criticised Labor and the Coalition for blocking the proposed legislation, arguing that human rights protections should not depend on state and territory governments.

Tabitha Lean, speaking on behalf of the Network, said restraining a young mother so soon after childbirth raised serious concerns about her physical and psychological wellbeing.

The Network is calling for an independent investigation into the decision to restrain the teenager and national legislation prohibiting shackling during childbirth and the postnatal period.

The girl's Nan said the family wanted answers and accountability.

"We as Aboriginal people have to start getting justice and start speaking out against the powers that be," she said.

National Indigenous Times contact Western Australia Police Force for comment.