Mackay two-year-old’s death under police investigation
A family friend has described the cruel twist two parents endured after rushing their baby girl to Mackay hospital where she died soon after.
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A family friend has described a Mackay dad’s desperate dash to hospital after learning his unwell baby girl had been rushed to the emergency department.
The little girl was pronounced dead about 8pm on Thursday night at Mackay Base Hospital, with the coroner soon after requesting police launch an investigation into her death.
Her parents, Jessica and Adam Hanbury, moved to Mackay in early 2020 buying a low-set brick home in a quiet, leafy street of North Mackay.
Their family of seven is now a family of six, as their youngest leaves behind four older siblings.
Detectives investigating the death of a two-year-old girl have confirmed she was unwell in the days before she was rushed to ED.
But Detective Acting Inspector Chris Eaton said he could not yet confirm if the child had died from an illness or injury, with a post mortem examination expected in coming days.
A family friend, who asked not to be named, said the mum and dad had spent Friday in tears.
“The father was at work when he was told his baby girl had been taken to hospital … he didn’t have a car so he borrowed mine and rushed to the hospital where his wife was,” he said.
“I drove them home at 3am.”
The friend said the parents were distressed when they learned a news story had incorrectly and “cruelly” reported they had dumped their daughter at the hospital.
“They were crying and didn’t think this situation could be worse,” he said.
The young girl’s death has rocked the Mackay community with hundreds leaving messages of support for the family.
“So very sad, fly high little one,” Jacinta Louise Logan wrote.
Dozens from the community have wished the “little angel” peace.
Acting Inspector Eaton said medical staff “reacted” to the North Mackay girl’s condition on arrival but “unfortunately the child was pronounced deceased a short time later”.
Other family members attended later.
Under direction from the coroner, police went to the hospital Thursday night and have begun interviewing people.
Police are conducting searches inside a suburban home in North Mackay.
“As part of the investigation, we’ve identified the child has been unwell in the days leading up to her death and that will certainly for part of our investigations,” Acting Inspector Eaton said.
“The death of a child, any child, under any circumstances, is incredibly traumatic.
“This family have lost a two-year-old child. The pain and suffering they must be going through at this particular moment in time would be unbearable.
“We don’t know the cause of death; that is something we will investigate.
“A post mortem will be conducted in the coming days and that will give us further evidence in relation to the cause of the child’s death.
“As part of our normal routine investigations, police conduct an examination of the family home.
“We expect that to take some time and that will help the police investigation and the coroner in determining the cause of death.”
Acting Inspector Eaton said it was too early to say if any charges would be laid, noting police investigated all child deaths and sudden deaths.
“We’re in the very early stages of the investigation,” he said.
“The family have gone through a very traumatic event.
“We are very mindful of the situation the family finds themself in.
“But under the direction of the coroner, we will investigate what has occurred in the lead-up, and in particular the causation of the child’s death.
“At this stage, we’re just looking at how this child has come to die last night.”
Acting Inspector Eaton said officers would centre the investigation on family and friends but may ask for community help down the track.
“They are in the best position to assist us. Our conversations and our focus is dealing with the family and also people known to the family,” he said.
Acting Inspector Eaton said child deaths had an impact on police officers too but they “unfortunately do deal with these things on a regular basis”.
“A lot of investigators are parents; we understand the pain of children being ill and, god forbid, child (dying),” he said.
“It (has) a traumatic effect not only on family members and the community but the police who are also called to investigate.”
Police will liaise with the Department of Child Safety and other agencies “as a matter of course” through their investigation.
They rejected reports the child’s body was ‘dumped’.
Detectives from Mackay Child Protection Investigation Unit will investigate the two-year-old’s death.
Police could be seen outside a North Mackay home on Friday afternoon.
The home had old 70s style caravan, box trailer, in the front yard.
A pram could be seen at the front of the home on the porch.
Forensic police were working at the scene, taking photographs inside the home.
The street was eerily quiet with most neighbours at work or away. Just the rustling of trees and wind chimes from a neighbouring home could be heard.
“An autopsy will be conducted to establish cause of death,” a police statement read.
A spokesman for the Department of Children could not confirm if the child’s family was known to authorities.
“The death of any child is a tragedy and our hearts go out to the girl’s family, friends and community,’’ a spokesman said.
“The Child Protection Act prevents us from disclosing publicly whether an individual or family is known or not known to the department.
“Under the Act, children enter the child protection system when they have either being significantly harmed or are at risk of significant harm and they do not have a parent able and willing to protect them from that harm.”
If someone suspects a child has been significantly harmed, or is at risk of being significantly harmed, they are encouraged to seek advice by contacting Child Safety Services.
Anyone with information can contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.
Anonymous information can also be provided via Crime Stoppers by phoning 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
Quote this reference number: QP2202229252
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