A Balcatta mother faced court on Wednesday after she was charged with the murder of her seven-month-old baby.
Jacinta Beth Sells, 31, appeared in Perth Magistrates Court in person looking emotional and wiped away tears as the charge was read to her.
Jacinta Beth Sells is accused of murdering her seven-month-old baby Billy.Credit: Instagram
She spoke only to acknowledge that she understood that she had been charged with the murder of her baby, Billy Sturgeon, and nodded that she understood that she would be remanded in custody until her next court appearance.
A group of women were in court supporting her, as well as Sells’ 13-year-old daughter who is believed to have been the person who raised the alarm via a neighbour in the early hours of Monday morning.
Sells, a beautician, was arrested on Tuesday afternoon by police who had been investigating the death of a baby since emergency services were called to a house on Campion Avenue at about 3am Monday.
Paramedics were unable to save the infant, who allegedly suffered stab wounds.
Sells was initially taken to Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital under police guard but was later released and held in custody.
WA Police commissioner Col Blanch acknowledged how harrowing the scene would have been for first responders.
“There would be very few cases where you would have a crime scene of such a horrific nature for our officers and all first responders involved,” he said.
“And certainly those officers would be entitled to their critical incident leave, but that’s something that will most likely haunt them for the rest of their careers.
Neighbours on the same street told 9 News Perth they heard nothing during the night of the incident.
“I got a knock on the door at 10 o’clock in the morning, and the police were asking me a few questions,” one of them told media on Monday.
“It’s awful, something happens on the street you live at … it’s pretty terrible.
“All day the cops have lined up on the street and sectioned [it] off.”
A police spokesperson said family members and residents were helping officers with their investigation.
WA Premier Roger Cook told reporters on Tuesday morning his heart went out to everyone impacted by this “incredibly sad, horrible” death, including the first responders.
Sells was remanded in custody to appear in Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court on August 20.
With Jamie Freestone.
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