Baby murder: Jie Smith charged with child’s death
A man charged with killing a baby boy in his care in the Hunter Valley on the weekend did not apply for bail when he appeared at Wyong Local Court this morning.
A man charged with killing a baby boy in his care in the Hunter Valley on the weekend did not apply for bail when he appeared at Wyong Local Court this morning.
Jie William Smith, 28, of New Lambton, was arrested and charged yesterday with murder and recklessly inflicting grievous bodily harm of a baby boy in his care.
Police and emergency services were called to a home in New Lambton, just after 4.30am on Saturday, following reports a six-month-old boy had gone into cardiac arrest.
The child was taken to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition.
Despite the efforts of hospital staff, the boy died late on Sunday.
Detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad and Newcastle City Police District, assisted by the Homicide Squad, established Strike Force Wandearah to investigate the circumstances surrounding the child’s death.
A post mortem examination determined the child died as a result of a traumatic head injury.
Following extensive inquiries, police arrested Mr Smith at Budgewoi about 12.20pm yesterday.
Dressed in a camouflage singlet and Adidas shorts Mr Smith fidgeted in the dock when his matter was mentioned briefly by a Legal Aid solicitor, who did not apply for bail and it was formally refused.
Mr Smith stood respectfully, however, when Magistrate Elizabeth Ellis addressed him directly to explain his defence would need a lot of evidence and material before they could make a formal bail application.
Ms Ellis sought a brief of evidence to be served on the defence by April 11 and adjourned the matter to Newcastle Local Court on May 1.
A suppression order was placed on the child’s name and a number of other parties.
Charge sheets tendered in court allege Mr Smith inflicted fatal injuries to the baby some time between 2am on February 9 and when the child later died in hospital at 11.33pm the following day.
Charge sheets also alleged he recklessly inflicted grievous bodily harm at 4.25am on February 9.
A number of family and supporters attended court but declined to comment outside.
Inquiries are still ongoing.
The Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad is comprised of detectives who are specially trained to investigate matters against children and adults, including sexual assault, serious physical abuse, and extreme cases of neglect.
Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad Commander Detective Superintendent John Kerlatec said the allegations are “horrific”.
“It’s a tough job for best of times for police and a challenging occupation but these types of incidents are a test to the first responders,” he said.
“The mother wasn’t there when the incident happened but the 28-year-old took the injured boy to the neighbour’s house before emergency services were called.”
The mother’s other children are now being cared for by friends and family and community services as she comes to terms with the loss of her child.
“ Anyone losing a child cannot begin to fathom the trauma the mother is going through….the father (who is not Smith) is distraught about the loss of his son,” Mr Kerlatec said.
“These incidents don’t occur often but when they do we also wrap around the welfare of our own staff.”
The child was taken to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition on Saturday morning just after 4.30am.
“The boy suffered horrific injuries that were so severe that it has taken his life and it affected everyone who turned up to the location including the hospital staff,” Mr Kerlatec said.
Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers.
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