The father of a Melbourne toddler allegedly murdered by her mother has spoken out about finding out his daughter had died, describing it as the worst moment of his life.

Sameer Sahib said he went into a state of shock after learning that his ex-partner Sofina Nikat, 22, had confessed to murdering their 14-month-old daughter Sanaya.

“I couldn’t believe it. I just froze,” Mr Sahib said.

Sanaya Sahib. (9NEWS)

“We both brought her into the world. How can she do that?”

Ms Nikat, 22, was charged with one count of murder yesterday afternoon, after Sanaya’s body was found partially submerged in a creek in Melbourne’s Heidelberg West on Sunday.

She was examined by a psychiatric nurse and doctor in custody this morning, and a magistrate later excused her from appearing in court today over concerns with her mental state.

Mr Sahib was forced to identify his daughter’s body today.

Police say Sofina Nikat made a "full confession" to the murder of her daughter. (9NEWS)

“I saw her last Thursday. She wanted to come into my lap,” he said.

“I just wish I brought her home with me.”

Mr Sahib said both Ms Nikat and Sanaya appeared to be in good spirits when he saw them two days before the alleged murder, but says his former partner “obviously put on an act.”

Ms Nikat, of Mitcham, was arrested in Mount Albert about 8.35am yesterday and fronted an out-of-sessions hearing at the Melbourne West Police Station last night.

Detective Senior Sergeant Stuart Bailey said the accused had made a "full confession" to the murder of her daughter, which is alleged to have occurred on Saturday.

Sanaya's body was found about 17 hours after she was first reported missing. (9NEWS)

Ms Nikat initially told police she was walking through Olympic Park in Heidelberg West on Saturday morning when a man pushed her to the ground and "snatched" Sanaya from her pram.

She said the man, who she described as being of African appearance, had then run through the park with Sanaya.

Mr Sahib said he had separated from Ms Nikat about a year ago and had been restricted from seeing Sanaya for the past six months.

However, he said he received a call from Ms Nikat around a week ago asking him to see his daughter again.

The father said he had learnt that Sanaya and her mother were in contact with the Department of Human Services but when he approached government agencies about them he was advised to contact a lawyer.

He said he trusted that they would safeguard the welfare of his child so that "nothing like this would ever happen."

Mr Sahib said he is now focused on arranging Sanaya's funeral.

Her body was found partially submerged in Darebin Creek. (9NEWS)

“When I heard the news it was the worst day of my life. When she was born it was the best day of my life.”

“It’s just come to a really sad end,” he said.