‘I’m sorry’: Dad’s screams before baby boy died

WITNESSES describe distressing scene as father of dying baby was put in the back of a police car while paramedics tried to save two-month old.

A special police taskforce has been formed to investigate little Archer’s death. Source: Facebook

ANDREW Crichton shrieked “I’m sorry” as paramedics rushed his newborn son Archer Butler out of their Riverina home just before daybreak.

The two-month-old baby died a short time later in Wagga Wagga Referral Hospital and his father Mr Crichton, 32, was detained at the home in Kooringal and taken to Wagga Wagga Police Station for questioning.

He was held for hours but not charged, released in the early afternoon as police formed special Strike Force Banco to investigate the child’s death.

Archer Butler died in Wagga Wagga in NSW’s Riverina region. Source: Supplied. Source: Facebook

The baby’s heartbroken mother Millie Butler, 21, also spoke to police

Detectives and forensics staff remained at the scene on Henwood Ave, Kooringal late into this evening and were expected to continue a painstaking examination of the house tomorrow.

Neighbours said they woke before 5am to chilling screams as the man lent against the front of his home, then was led into a police wagon.

Archer’s mother Millie Butler, 21. Source: Channel 7.

“There was this guy just screaming, saying “I’m sorry, I’m sorry”,” Charli Gowland said.

“Even in the back of the paddy wagon he was screaming and banging.

“It was really awful.”

Police said Archie was “seriously unwell” by the time paramedics arrived but would not speculate on the cause of death.

Detective Inspector Bob Noble said they were treating the incident with a “degree of suspicion” and the man was incredibly distressed.

“It’s sort of unclear at this stage ... We can’t definitively say whether it was caused by an illness or an injury,” Det Insp Noble said.

Mr Crichton is understood to have lived in the rural Wagga Wagga community for years, while Ms Butler attended Kooringal High School.

Originally published as ‘I’m sorry’: Dad’s screams before baby boy died