Police discovered the body of a four-year-old boy at a home in Wyong, on the New South Wales Central Coast, at approximately 4:40pm on Saturday. The welfare check was initiated after a 32-year-old woman allegedly drove to Wyong Police Station and made statements that raised concerns among officers.
Department Confirms Previous Contact
The Department of Communities and Justice has confirmed it had "previous contact with the family" before the alleged murder. In a statement, the department said: "We are 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 had previous contact with the family and is currently examining all relevant records and information relating to this matter." The department noted that due to the active NSW Police investigation, it would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage.
Police Describe Confronting Scene
Police allege the boy was killed days before his body was found, having suffered injuries described as too gruesome to report. Superintendent Chad Gillies of Tuggerah Lakes Police said: "The scene can only be described as confronting for all police and emergency service workers that were there." Police are now probing multiple lines of inquiry to determine the exact circumstances of the boy's death.
Woman Charged with Murder
A 32-year-old woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been charged with murdering her four-year-old son. She did not apply for bail when she faced court on Sunday and is scheduled to return to court in September. Police 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," Superintendent Gillies said.
Neighbours Mourn 'Happiest' Kid
Neighbour Harley Chislett, who used to babysit the child, was devastated by the death. He found one of the boy's toy cars on Sunday morning and plans to keep it as a lasting memory, describing the little boy as "the happiest kid I've seen around at that age." The community has been left in shock by the tragic incident.
