Police say baby’s death ‘suspicious’

The death of a nine-month-old baby found in a home west of Brisbane is being treated as suspicious, police say, with the child’s twin placed in the care of others.

DETECTIVES are investigating the suspicious death of a nine-month-old boy who died at home after the Department of Child Safety was told of concerns for his welfare.

The child, a twin, died on June 21 at his home on Sonter St, Raceview.

The surviving twin has since been placed in the care of others.

It is understood multiple reports were made to the department from people expressing concern for the boy’s safety.

Detective Inspector David Briese said emergency services workers were called to the home on the evening of June 21 where the “child was found deceased”.

“A crime scene was established and an investigative centre has been established at Yamanto police station,” he said.

“Detectives from the Yamanto child protection unit and the state crime command child trauma unit have been working ... in relation to the death of that child.”

He said the cause of death was yet to be determined because police were still awaiting the results of tests from the pathologist.

“However, the death is being treated as suspicious,” he said.

“At this time, we’re appealing to anyone who may know that family, who has an understanding of the habits around the family and the children from that family to come forward.

“We’ve obviously identified a number of family friends and associates who we’ve spoken to already but no doubt there will be other people out there that may know of the family and any circumstances surrounding the child’s death that we haven’t spoken to yet.

“We would ask that those persons come forward with any sort of information, no matter how small or how big they think it is.”

Det Insp Briese said a crime scene was established at the Sonter St property, with forensic officers spending several days combing the home.

“Given that it occurred some time ago, since then that investigation centre has been running non stop,” he said.

“So we have searched high and low for friends and associates and anyone that knows that family but that doesn’t mean that we’ve spoken to everyone.”

Minister for Child Safety Di Farmer.

Child Safety Minister Di Farmer said the death of any child was “an absolute tragedy”.

“My heart goes out to the family and the community who knew this child,” she said.

“This is a matter for police and for the Coroner, so it wouldn’t be appropriate to comment.

“I know everyone wants answers and so do I but we need this to be done properly and we need to allow police and the Coroner the time and space to do their job.

“The Child Protection Act 1999 prevents me from talking about individual cases.

“However, what I can say is that where a child who is known to the child protection system dies or suffers a serious injury there is a two-tier review process in place to make sure it is thoroughly investigated.”

Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.