Accused killer dad Joseph William McDonald at risk of self-harm: court
The young Benalla man accused of killing his seven-week-old son urgently needs to see a doctor and is at risk of self-harm, a court has heard.
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The young father charged over the death of his infant son is at risk of self-harm and has an undiagnosed medical condition, a court has heard.
Joseph William McDonald, 22, from Benalla, was charged on Saturday with the murder of his seven-week-old son Lucas, who died last week at Monash Children’s Hospital in Clayton.
Dressed in a black T-shirt and pants, the bearded Mr McDonald fronted Melbourne Magistrates’ Court for the second consecutive day for an administrative hearing this morning.
He did not say anything throughout the brief hearing, apart from thanking the magistrate as he was led out of the dock by custody officers.
No details of the allegations against him were aired in court.
His lawyer Tony Hargreaves told the court Mr McDonald needed to see a doctor.
He added that his client would be vulnerable in custody because of the “nature of the offence”.
Magistrate Michelle Mykytowycz also noted it was Mr McDonald’s first time in custody, and his file indicated he was at risk of self-harm and had an undiagnosed medical condition.
“I note that he requires medical assistance as soon as possible,” Ms Mykytowycz said.
Family and friends have rallied around baby Lucas’ mother, with an online fundraiser set up to cover funeral costs and other expenses.
More than 30 people donated to the fund, which was created by the mother’s sister-in-law Charee Pool.
Ms Pool described Lucas as a beautiful baby boy whose life was tragically taken away.
She wrote on the page all donations would go to supporting Lucas’ mother.
“I feel some financial stability might help her to have some independence and one less worry at this heartbreaking time,” the page said.
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The fundraiser attracted $1600, with people posting tributes and expressing their grief and shock.
Lucas’ uncle Vaughan Duckmanton shared the fundraiser and wrote: “my sister had her son Lucas ripped away from her in the worst way”.
Lucas was admitted to a Benalla hospital with life-threatening injuries on October 25 and was later transferred to the Monash.
Mr McDonald had been last seen leaving the hospital in Clayton in Melbourne’s southeast about 4.30pm on Wednesday, the day baby Lucas died.
He handed himself in at a police station in Melbourne about 6pm on Saturday night and was questioned late into the evening over the death of his seven-week-old son.
Mr McDonald was remanded to return to court on March 30 next year.