The family at the centre of an alleged child murder had “previous contact” with a government department before the incident.
Police believe the child was killed days before his body was found.
The family at the centre of an alleged child murder had “previous contact” with a government department before the incident.
Police discovered the body of a four-year-old boy at a home in Wyong, on the NSW Central Coast, about 4.40pm on Saturday.
The welfare check was prompted by a 32-year-old woman who had allegedly driven to Wyong Police Station and made statements that raised concerns.
Police allege the boy was killed days before his body was found, having suffered injuries described as too gruesome to report.
“The scene can only be described as confronting for all police and emergency service workers that were there,” Superintendent Chad Gillies of Tuggerah Lakes Police said.
Police are now probing multiple lines of inquiry.
The Department of Communities and Justice said in a statement it is “aware of the tragic death of a four-year-old boy in Wyong and extends its deepest sympathies to the child’s family, loved ones and community.’
The department confirmed it had “previous contact with the family and is currently examining all relevant records and information relating to this matter”.
“Given the matter remains the subject of an active NSW Police investigation, it would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage.”
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Neighbours devastated by death of ‘happiest’ kid
Neighbour Harley Chislett, who used to babysit the child, was shaken by the four-year-old’s death.
He found one of the child’s toy cars on Sunday morning and plans to keep it as a lasting memory, saying the little boy was “the happiest kid I’ve seen around at that age”.
The alleged killer, who can not be named for legal reasons, did not apply for bail when she faced court on Sunday and will return in September.
Police said they are determined to establish how and why the boy died.
“We owe that to that little boy to make sure that we get the exact circumstances and present them to the court in due course,” Gillies said.
