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

Shocking new claims have emerged about the discovery of a four-year-old girl lying dead in her cot in a Brisbane home, as her father is charged with murder, allegedly telling police he found her there on Saturday. No call was made to emergency services until Monday.

THE father of a four-year-old girl found dead in her Cannon Hill home on Monday allegedly claimed he found his daughter dead in her cot on Saturday morning, as shocking new details emerge about her condition.

Mark James Dunn, 43, has been charged with the girl’s murder and had his matter briefly mentioned in the Brisbane Magistrates Court today.

Police outside the Cannon Hill property look at a whiteboard map of the crime scene, including a stick figure in the top right. Picture: AAP Image/Darren England

It is alleged the girl was murdered on or about Saturday May 23, court documents say.

Dunn allegedly claimed he found the girl dead in her cot on that date but The Courier-Mail understands forensic investigators are still working to determine exactly how and when the girl died.

Police investigate death of four-year-old child at Cannon Hill. Picture: Richard Walker

She was found at the home in Bent St, Cannon Hill, on Monday morning.

It is understood she was found in her cot decomposed.

She had sores on her hips down to the bone.

Police will allege the girl was malnourished and had been left in her room without food.

Dunn did not appear in court in person and the case was adjourned until July 20.

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

It is one of the first charges brought under the State Government’s new tough penalties for child-killers introduced last year.

Under the new laws, the vulnerability of the victim be considered during sentencing.

The property in Cannon Hill, where the body of a four-year-old girl was found. Her father has been charged with her murder. (AAP Image/Darren England)

Emergency services first became aware of the tragedy after a call was made to Queensland Ambulance Service shortly after 9am on Monday. Police were alerted and arrived at the home soon after.

A statement released by Queensland Police Service said the home was immediately secured as a crime scene.

“A crime scene was immediately declared at the house as investigations commenced into the circumstances leading to the child’s death,” the statement said.

“The girl’s family is assisting police with the investigation,” it said.

Police take photos out the front of the Cannon Hill home. Picture: AAP Image/Darren England

Neighbours said there were other children at the house when emergency crews arrived. A large police presence, including up to 10 vehicles and a forensic van, alarmed parents of children at a nearby school.

Parents were sent an email from the school’s principal reassuring them the incident was unrelated and to await ­instructions on how to collect their children, with the street cordoned off by police patrols throughout the day.

Police remove a bag from the property. Picture: AAP Image/Darren England

“Should you hear of this incident through the media, please be assured that there is no reason to be fearful of any threat to the school and your children are safe and are being kept totally unaware of the police presence outside the college,” the message said.

Tradesman Trent O’Brien was working at a nearby home when he saw ambulances and police arrive at the Bent St address.

A pram is taped off outside the property. Picture: AAP Image/Darren England

Mr O’Brien said about five people, including a child in a nappy, appeared to have come from inside the home when paramedics and police arrived.

“There was a lot of police, at least 10,” he said.

A resident of a neighbouring home said a family rent the property and have been “relatively quiet” for the time they have lived there.

“I have never heard much from them. It’s quite a quiet street … it’s a bit of a shock.”

A police officer photographs the family car.

Flowers and tributes were laid out the front of the house this morning.

Police have been working throughout Tuesday, with an evidence centre being erected in front of a rental property next door.

At one point investigators turned their attention to a car with P-plates in the driveway, taking photos in and around the vehicle.

Dunn was remanded in custody and unable to apply for bail because of the serious nature of the charge.