Brodie Tull and Starr Light Cahill standing trial for alleged criminal neglect of their twin boys

A father described by prosecutors as “quick to anger” made a surprising comment to a government worker during an investigation into his infant son’s horrific injuries.

A father asked a government worker if they were there for his other infant son’s injuries after the twin brother presented to hospital with rib fractures, a court has heard,

Starr Light Cahill, 29, and Brodie Tull, 24, are standing trial in the District Court after pleading not guilty to two counts of criminal neglect.

Michael Foundas, prosecuting, told the court in his opening that the couple’s twin boys were born on March 8, 2022.

The court heard one of the twins presented at the Murray Bridge hospital on May 29, 2022.

“He was not breathing properly, he was making grunting noises and his chest was making an unusual clicking sound,” Mr Foundas said.

Prosecution described Mr Tull’s temperament as someone who is quick to anger or easily set off. Picture: Brenton Edwards

An examination by an expert forensic pediatrician revealed the boy had 33 recent rib fractures, signs of 18 older rib fractures, a laceration to his liver, bruising and an older leg fracture.

“On the prosecution case, (the boy) had been the victim of at least one recent and one older occasion of deliberate inflictions of force, particularly to his chest,” Mr Foundas said.

Giving evidence this week, a government worker told the court she went to the couple’s house the day after with police to check on the other twin.

The court heard the worker asked Mr Tull if he knew why they were there.

“I believe that he suggested it was due to the injuries on (the other twin),” she said.

“I do recall thinking that was strange because obviously we weren’t aware of any injuries to (the other twin) at the time.”

The worker said she observed the house to be in a “bit of disarray” and said she saw cockroaches on the older children’s beds and belongings.

She also said she saw a bong in the laundry and a portacot in the couple’s bedroom.

“My assessment would be that it was not a safe sleeping condition for the babies, if they were sleeping in that cot. It had a number of sort of blankets and pillows and it seemed to be quite unstable,” she said.

Starr Cahill and Brodie Tull are charged with criminal neglect. Picture: Facebook

Starr Cahill gave birth to the twin boys in March 2022. Picture: Facebook

The court heard a medical examination found the other twin had 13 recent rib fractures and signs of 24 older rib fractures.

“Mr Tull’s temperament, on the prosecution case, might be described as someone who is quick to anger or easily set off,” Mr Foundas said

Ms Cahill’s mother previously gave evidence that during a visit to the couple’s home she observed Ms Cahill’s unsupervised nine year old daughter holding one of the twins “like a ragdoll”.

She said Mr Tull was allegedly smoking cannabis in the laundry at the time and noted the house was filthy, with rubbish on the floor and piles of dog faeces.

Ms Cahill and Mr Tull denied to police they were responsible for causing the injuries or had knowledge of them.

“Their potential explanations included the dog – one of their dogs – sitting on the chest of the twins, or (Ms Cahill’s daughter’s) mishandling of the child.”

The trial, before a jury, continues.

Originally published as Brodie Tull and Starr Light Cahill standing trial for alleged criminal neglect of their twin boys