Father charged after death of baby boy at Wagga Wagga in 2023

A father-of-three took his newborn son to hospital saying he was struggling to breathe, but when the baby died three days later, police allegedly discovered almost every bone in his body had been broken. Now, the man has been charged.

A young father-of-three took his newborn son to hospital saying he was struggling to breathe, but when the baby died three days later, police allegedly discovered almost every bone in the tiny boy’s body had been broken.

More than two years after the four-week-old’s death, the 26-year-old father was charged with manslaughter on Friday, with police describing the baby’s injuries as “another level”.

Police had been investigating the father after the baby tragically died on July 31, 2023.

His father had taken him to Wagga Wagga Base Hospital three days earlier, telling staff his baby was struggling to breathe.

The baby quickly deteriorated and was transferred to Sydney Children’s Hospital on life support, but later died.

The man is due to front court on Friday. Picture: NSW Police

The Telegraph can reveal a post mortem examination was undertaken, showing almost every bone in the baby’s body had been broken.

The State Crime Command’s Child Abuse Squad established Strike Force Wighton to investigate the baby boy’s death, while friends of the boy’s parents raised money for his funeral and spoke of their devastation.

The four week-old boy died on July 31, 2023, three days after being brought to hospital.

“(They) have lost their little boy at only four weeks old. No words can describe the pain they are experiencing right now,” a friend wrote online.

“Their pain will last a lifetime.”

Following extensive investigations and with the assistance of the NSW Crime Commission, strike force detectives arrested the boy’s father on Friday and charged him with manslaughter.

Detective Inspector Peter Owen said the man was not known to police prior to the incident, and had no history of domestic violence against his children or wife.

“(There was) no history of domestic violence and there were no protective orders in place at the time of the incident,” he said.

The baby died in July 2023. Picture: NSW Police

The man as he was taken into custody for a brief period. Picture: NSW Police

“The death of an infant is tragic. Where there is suspected inflicted injuries is another level – that is abhorrent to people.”

Friends of the family have told the Telegraph the boy’s parents were deeply religious and have two older children.

The father, who was remanded in custody after his arrest, faced Albury Local Court this afternoon where he was granted strict bail.

The man was granted bail shortly after his arrest. Picture: NSW Police

The man was released on a $10,000 surety, and order to hand over his passport.

He will also have to report to police every day and was banned from contacting several witnesses in the case.

The man will next appear at Wagga Wagga Local Court on July 9.