‘He was perfect in every way’: Ronan Davies’ dad breaks silence

Grieving parents Glenn Davies and Melanie Nguyen have paid tribute to their “cheeky boy” as police investigate the 17-month-old’s death as murder.

“Perfect in every way,” is how the grieving dad of Ronan Davies described his toddler son.

“He was playful, he was happy… his favourite word was no,” Glenn Davies, 29, told The Advertiser on Wednesday.

Glenn and his fiancée Melanie Nguyen face a life without their “cheeky boy” after Ronan died under suspicious circumstances while under the care of family friends.

On June 7, Ronan was rushed to Adelaide’s Women’s and Children’s Hospital, unconscious and in a critical condition.

Two days later, after suffering injuries that doctors deemed “not survivable”, the 17-month-old was dead, and South Australia police opened a murder investigation.  

In the days leading up to June 7, the little boy was being cared for by friends of the family in Glenelg North.

“When he was returned to his father… he was unable to roused and an ambulance was called,” Detective Inspector Mark McEachern.

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Ronan Davies' parents are heartbroken after their little boy died under suspicious circumstances. Photo: Facebook

Unconscious Adelaide toddler returned to parents by babysitter

Ronan’s babysitters were looking after the toddler at an address on Ferguson Street in Glenelg North. Police believed he sustained his injuries at this address.

When the carers returned Ronan to his dad on June 7, the little boy appeared to be asleep, with Glenn unable to wake him.

Panicked, he called an ambulance and Ronan was rushed to hospital where doctors discovered critical head injuries and “other serious internal injuries”, according to police.

7News reported that detectives were told Ronan was injured when he fell out of his pram.

“That’s our suspicion, that Ronan has been returned home, apparently asleep, but we suspect he sustained some injuries prior to that,” Inspector McEachern told reporters on Tuesday.

“We have been provided with an explanation of how Ronan’s injuries were caused. We’re not satisfied as to the truthfulness of that information and that is certainly subject to our murder investigation,” he continued.

No charges have been laid.

Ronan Davies' parents, Glenn Davies and Melanie Nguyen. Photo: Facebook

Grandma pays tribute to Ronan Davies

“Cute, well-behaved, innocent and very handsome,” is how grandma Ngoc Cam Huynh described her darling grandson Ronan Davies.

“Grandma’s angel, rest in peace,” she wrote on Facebook. “Even though the time I stayed with your family was not long, everyone loved you so much.”

The loving grandma visited her Adelaide grandson in Australia from February to April 2023 before returning home overseas.

A few weeks later, Ronan was dead.

Ronan Davies' grandma, Ngoc Cam Huynh, visited her grandson in Adelaide in early 2023. Photo: Facebook

Police appeal for witnesses to come forward

“We’ll be asking for anyone that may have seen Ronan being pushed around in that pram on Tuesday, June 6 or Wednesday, June 7, this year in and around Ferguson St, Glenelg North,” Inspector McEachern said.

“We’re hoping that might remind someone if they have seen anyone pushing Ronan around that afternoon or during those two days.”

Police are appealing to any witnesses who may have seen Ronan to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Police are asking witnesses to come forward who might have seen Ronan Davies in his pram on the day of his injuries. Photo: SA police

Originally published as ‘He was perfect in every way’: Ronan Davies’ dad breaks silence