Report made to Department of Communities and Justice on Berowra baby days before he died

The Department of Communities and Justice had been notified about the 10-month-old baby in the days before his mother allegedly tried to drown and then suffocate him, it can be revealed.

Staff at the children's hospital in Westmead contacted welfare authorities after a baby was brought in twice in as many days and left without being discharged. Picture: Jordan Shields

A baby who died after his mother allegedly tried to kill him had been reported to child protection services by hospital staff concerned for his welfare.

The 10-month-old boy, from the Berowra area, died on March 25, two days after his mother allegedly attempted to suffocate him.

It was the second time in as many days that the baby had been admitted to the Children’s Hospital at Westmead, prompting staff to contact authorities.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal hospital staff notified the Department of Communities and Justice about the child, and his mother’s behaviour on March 20, after she left the ward with the baby who had not been formally discharged.

The boy was dead five days later.

Feet of new born baby under ultraviolet lamp in the incubator. iStock Image - Generic

In a statement last night, a spokesperson for the department refused to say what measures were undertaken to check on the baby’s welfare after they were contacted by the hospital.

“The Department of Communities and Justice was saddened to hear about the death of a 10-month-old baby in Berowra Waters, NSW and offers the baby’s family and community our deepest sympathy,” the spokesperson said.

“As the NSW Police and Coroner are investigating the matter, the department will not make any further comment.”

NSW Police charged the baby’s mother, who cannot be named for legal reasons, with two counts of attempted murder, one of which is expected to be upgraded to murder at her next court appearance.

Paramedics were first called to treat the baby at about 7pm on March 19, when his mother took him swimming at a friend’s home in Westleigh, in Sydney’s north west, and he almost drowned.

Police said the mother and her friend performed CPR on the baby until paramedics arrived and rushed the boy to hospital for treatment and observation.

Staff at The Children's Hospital in Westmead notified FACS. Picture: Jordan Shields

At about 4am the next day, the mother left the hospital with the baby without being formally discharged, prompting staff to notify FACS.

The following day, the mother called Triple-0 from her home near Berowra, allegedly telling the operator her baby was struggling to breathe.

Paramedics found the baby unresponsive and rushed him back to hospital in a critical condition, where he died two days later.

Police allege the mother ‘restricted the baby’s breathing’ in the lead up to calling for help.

Health Minister Ryan Park said a clinical review will be undertaken by the Sydney Children’s Hospital Network as a result of the baby’s death.

The baby’s devastated relatives held a private funeral last week.

His mother will appear in court again on May 18.