Father’s remorse as inquest for boy in state care ends

The heartbroken father of an Indigenous child who died in state care has lamented his failures as a parent at the inquest into his son’s death.

The 10-year-old boy, identified only as SJ, was found unresponsive, wrapped in a blind cord, and died at his caregiver’s home in April last year.

The inquest is investigating whether SJ’s death was accidental or the result of self-harm and the quality of care provided by the Western Australian Department of Communities.

Perth coroner’s court heard SJ was removed from his parents’ care in 2020 over allegations of drug use and neglect of his children, including a lack of food.

On the witness stand, SJ’s unidentified father also wiped tears from his eyes and said that he and the child’s mother “made wrong choices and engaged in wrong actions.”

“But that doesn’t take away our love for our children,” he said Tuesday as the two-day hearing ended.

“We are and always will be loving, caring parents.”

SJ’s parents have previously said they want to know the truth about what happened to their son and department failures that may have contributed to his death.

SJ’s father said, “I missed every sunrise and sunset; if love could save you, you would live forever.”

Coroner Robyn Hartley heard SJ, who showed symptoms of complex developmental trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder, was living with a department-approved relative when he died.

The placement was going well and SJ’s mental state was improving alongside his attendance at school, where he scored well above average in his NAPLAN exam.

The court also heard that he never expressed suicidal thoughts or exhibited behavior that suggested he intended to harm himself.

SJ’s babysitter found her on the couch in the living room. She was limp and her legs were discolored.

An autopsy found that he died from neck compression due to ligament compression.

Rochelle Binks, executive director of the Department for Communities, said her team had provided good support to SJ, but communication with some of the providers who treated him could have been better.

He also said blind cord safety regulations for carers’ homes had been updated since SJ’s death.

Ms Hartley told the court she was unlikely to make adverse findings against anyone and would present her findings at a date to be determined.

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