Tara Richardson charged with murder of Tarrin-Macen O’Sullivan two years after his death

The mother of a four-year-old boy whose naked body was found in a backyard pool has been charged with his murder more than two years after his death.

The mother of a four-year-old boy whose naked body was found in a backyard pool has been charged with his murder more than two years after his death.

Emergency crews were called to Munbura Rd, Munbura, near Mackay in Queensland, after reports Tarrin-Macen O’Sullivan had drowned in the backyard pool on August 29, 2021.

On Friday, Mackay police charged the boy’s 46-year-old biological mother, Tara Richardson, following a two-year investigation into the suspicious death.

Tarrin-Macen Kenneth O’Sullivan’s body was found in a backyard pool. Picture: Supplied

Detective Superintendent Darrin Shadlow said after a “very complex” investigation, detectives will now allege the four-year-old child died before entering the pool.

“We utilised the services of a medical specialist as well as biomechanical specialists,” he said.

“It was proven that the deceased child was not alive when he entered the pool.

“The quick work by investigators who attended that scene initially showed that something wasn’t right.”

Detective Superintendent Shadlow said Ms Richardson had allegedly called Queensland Ambulance Services, saying the boy was dead in the pool.

Detective Superintendent Darrin Shadlow says police will allege Tarrin-Macen Kenneth O’Sullivan was dead before he went into the swimming pool. Picture: QPS

“Through the post mortem and further examinations we think we can prove the child was deceased when entering the pool,” he said.

“We can show the child didn’t ingest water.”

Detective Superintendent Shadlow said the disused pool only had a small amount of water in it.

He wouldn’t confirm the nature of the boy’s death, but said no weapons were used to harm or injure the child.

Police will allege Ms Richardson was the only other person at the property at the time, as his biological father didn’t live with them.

Another man also lived at the property but wasn’t home at the time of the alleged death and police do not allege he was involved in any way.

Tarrin-Macen Kenneth O’Sullivan’s mother has been charged with his murder. Picture: Contributed

The 46-year-old South Mackay woman was charged with one count of murder (domestic violence offence) and one count of misconduct with corpse by interference.

She is expected to appear before the Mackay Magistrates Court on Friday.

Detective Superintendent Shadlow said the boy’s biological father was also told of the arrest on Friday.

“He’s obviously distressed and distraught but obviously a little bit of closure for him I suppose for the death of his son,” he said.

Originally published as Tara Richardson charged with murder of Tarrin-Macen O’Sullivan two years after his death