Stepmum allegedly says little Willow wasn’t her responsibility

A woman who lived in the house where the tiny body of a malnourished and neglected four-year-old girl with Down’s syndrome was discovered has allegedly said she wasn’t responsible for the child because she wasn’t her biological mother.

THE partner of a man charged with the murder of his four-year-old daughter allegedly told police as Willow was not her biological child she refused to care for her, amid allegations the little girl died in filth, was malnourished, neglected and covered in sores.

Police are investigating whether Willow, who had Down Syndrome, lived much of her four short years in neglect, left in her room without adequate food or care.

Man charged with murder after body of daughter, 4, found at Cannon Hill home

Body of four-year-old girl found in Cannon Hill home

Willow Dunn as a baby. Picture: Facebook.

The Courier-Mail understands the Department of Child Safety had been notified of concerns about Willow’s welfare on more than one occasion - although Child Safety Minister Di Farmer has refused to confirm if the family was known to them.

Her stepmother, who lived at the Cannon Hill home with her own children, has not been charged in relation to Willow’s death.

It is understood Willow’s biological mother died after complications during birth.

Willow’s stepmother allegedly told officers she wanted nothing to do with the girl.

Sources said Willow had not been seen alive for around two weeks, although her father allegedly told police he discovered her dead on Saturday – two days before calling an ambulance.

She was still wearing nappies that were rarely changed, despite her age.

Willow Dunn (right) was found dead at her Cannon Hill home. Picture: Facebook

Willow is understood to have been left in her cot so long she developed painful pressure sores so deep the bones of her hips were exposed.

The Courier-Mail understands Willow was showing signs of infection at the time of her death,

began looking unwell several weeks before she died and had not been gaining weight.

Relatives allegedly said Willow appeared sick years earlier.

Neighbours told The Courier-Mail they had never seen the young girl at the Bent St home.

Members of the public leave flowers outside the home where the body of Willow Dunn was found. Picture: Tertius Pickard

Child Safety Minister Di Farmer yesterday refused, for the second day in a row, to answer questions about whether the family were known to the Department of Child Safety.

Instead, a spokesman from the Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women said they were “guided by the Child Protection Act which has as its paramount principle the protection of children — which includes their identity”.

The house where the body of little Willow Dunn was discovered. Picture: Tertius Pickard

“The strict provisions of this Act make it illegal to disclose publicly whether an individual or family is known or not known to the department,” he said.

LNP police spokesman Dan Purdie said the Minister’s silence was a “cover up”.

“The Minister and the Premier seem to be more concerned about protecting themselves than protecting vulnerable young kids in our community,” he said.

Mark Dunn has been charged with his daughter Willow’s murder. Picture: Facebook

Deputy Premier Steven Miles would not be drawn on the details of the case.

“Obviously just based on what I’ve seen in the media reports this is particularly tragic, heart wrenching and no doubt will be investigated in detail, both the Child Safety response as well as what’s happened here and I’ll let those processes play out,” he said.

Willow’s father, Mark James Dunn, 43, has been charged with the girl’s murder after he allegedly told officers he found the four-year-old dead in her room on Saturday, but did not get medical help.

Dunn was charged under the new extended definition of murder, which includes reckless indifference to human life.

He has been remanded in custody and will return to court on July 20.