Calls for independent review as police probe if cannibalism involved in four-year-old’s alleged murder | New South Wales
The NSW opposition is demanding an independent review after it was confirmed that the family of an allegedly murdered four-year-old boy was known to the department responsible for child protection.
A woman was taken into custody and charged with murder on Sunday after police found the body of a preschool child at a home on the New South Wales Central Coast.
The Department for Communities and Justice (DCJ) confirmed it had “previously contacted the family” following the discovery of the child’s body and was “currently reviewing all records and information relevant to this matter”.
Police said they rushed to the house in Wyong after a 32-year-old woman reported to the local police station on Saturday. The body of the child, believed to be a 4-year-old boy, was found with a serious injury to his arm in the house he shared with the woman in the afternoon.
It is understood that police are investigating whether there was cannibalism in the incident.
Tuggerah Lakes police area commander Supt Chad Gillies told reporters on Sunday morning that the woman was known to police. He said police and paramedics faced a “highly contradictory landscape” for even the most experienced officers.
On Monday morning, the state opposition issued a statement calling for an independent review of the department’s connection to the family as “horrific details have emerged”.
“My thoughts are with the child’s family, loved ones and everyone in the community affected by this unimaginable loss. This is a heartbreaking tragedy,” said Natasha Maclaren-Jones, shadow minister for families and communities.
“This unthinkable tragedy is sadly not the first time this government has failed to protect our most vulnerable children, not just in the past year.
“The government recognizes there are workforce shortages, heavy caseloads and gaps in early intervention; this case raises serious concerns and requires an independent investigation.”
Last year the NSW government announced major reforms to the child protection and out-of-home care system. A damning audit in 2024 found the state was failing tens of thousands of vulnerable children with its “ineffective” and “unsustainable” child protection system.
In a statement, DCJ confirmed that it was reviewing the connection to the family and expressed its deepest condolences to the child’s family, loved ones and the community.
“Given that the matter remains the subject of an active NSW police investigation, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage,” a spokesman said.
Minister for Families and Communities Kate Washington was approached for comment.
Asked about the tragedy at a press conference on Monday morning, Penny Sharpe, the government’s leader in the legislative council, said “it’s just a terrible incident.”
“The loss of any child is something that shocks the entire community,” he said.
“There is an ongoing police investigation and I know the Department for Communities and Justice are also working on that process.
“I cannot provide any further information other than I understand that the person charged is known to the police and the department is known to the person, but beyond that I am not in a position to comment further.”
The woman appeared briefly in the local court on Sunday and did not apply for bail. He will appear before Wyong local court again on September 1.
The woman and the child cannot be named due to a law protecting the identification of children in criminal matters.
