A shocking image showing a 16-year-old Noongar mother shackled to a hospital bed has prompted condemnation from her family and a national advocacy group, with WA Police maintaining officers acted within policy during her arrest.

The teenager was arrested in Butler on October 19 after police attended a residential property following concerns about the welfare of her infant.

According to WA Police, Joondalup Detectives have charged the teenager with three offences following the incident.

Police said officers arrived at the property at about 12.25pm and located the infant unharmed.

After a short verbal exchange, police allege the teenager resisted arrest by attempting to push past officers and enter the residence. She was subsequently brought to the ground and taken into custody.

However, the teenager's family has alleged officers used excessive force during the incident, with her Nan telling the National Indigenous Times that the young mother 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 infant 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 also 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 infant'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 charged following the confrontation and shackled to a hospital bed.

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

Police have confirmed three charges against the teenager.

The teenager is due to appear before Perth Children's Court on December 2, 2026. Police said she was subsequently released to an external agency.

Mr Eades described the reported 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 infant'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 at Joondalup Health Campus earlier on Wednesday, the infant'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 infant's Nan also alleged she was initially refused access before another staff member helped arrange a visit.

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

The teenager's medical condition and the circumstances surrounding her hospital admission and the use of restraints have not been independently confirmed.

In response to concerns about the image, WA Police said the chains depicted were not equipment used by the WA Police Force. Police also stated the teenager was not in police custody at the time the image was taken.

Police said a review of officers' body-worn camera footage had been conducted and the officers were found to have acted within policy during the arrest.

The WA Police Force said it used a range of less-lethal tactical options to help officers resolve incidents safely while minimising harm.

The National Network of Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls has 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.