Man charged over Langwarrin toddler death avoids court appearance
The devastated mother of tragic toddler Jaidyn Gomes says she “never hurt him” as she returned to the home in Langwarrin where he was killed. It comes as the man charged with murdering the Langwarrin toddler avoided fronting court after his lawyer asked that the accused killer not appear.
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The grieving mother of the toddler killed in his Langwarrin home said: “I miss him so much. I just want my baby back.”
Stacie Saggers briefly returned to the Potts Rd house after being released by police from more than 24 hours in custody.
Police say she is not believed to have been involved in the death of her two-year-old son Jaidyn Gomes.
Ms Saggers, 34, added: “I never hurt him. I want my son back, that’s all I want.”
Brendan Pallant, 32, has been charged with Jaidyn’s murder. Mr Pallant, who is believed to be Ms Saggers’ boyfriend, was remanded at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court this afternoon at a brief administrative hearing. His lawyer requested that he did not appear.
Jaidyn’s father died in a motorcycle accident in Queensland last year.
Ms Saggers was accompanied by a detective as she returned to the house in Melbourne’s southeast where Jaidyn was found by paramedics on Monday afternoon.
She gathered some belongings and said she “won’t be going back”. She said “her baby” Jaidyn loved hugging her, and loved playing with his brother Chayse.
When asked how Jaidyn would be remembered, she said: “As our little Snuffles.”
She covered her face after fighting back tears as she paid the emotional tribute to her son.
Neighbours, strangers and friends left flowers and cards outside the home.
“Sleep sweet little angel,” one message read. Another said: “Rest easy little one.”
Toy trucks and excavators were also left after relatives revealed that little Jaidyn loved playing with them.
Jaidyn’s grandmother told the Herald Sun she was relieved that her daughter had not been charged. “It is a relief to know Stacie had no part in it,” she said.
Friend Beka Williams said Jaidyn was an “innocent and sweet” boy.
“My heart is broken for this beautiful soul and I hope justice prevails for this bubby,” she said.
Stacie’s sister said the family was struggling to comprehend Jaidyn’s death.
“We’re not good,” she told the Herald Sun. “We’re struggling. We’re trying to come to terms with it all. We’re not sleeping.”
The sister, who did not want to be named, said Stacie had only known Brendan Pallant for a short time and he had moved into the home she shared with her children only recently.
“She only knew him for a couple of months. We didn’t even know he lived there. I believe he was staying (in the Potts Rd home) for at least a month,” she said.
The sister said Stacie had not revealed what had happened on Monday afternoon.
“When she’s ready, we’ll be asking what happened,” she said.
“She’s not even comprehending. She can’t speak. She’s just a mess.”
Mr Pallant was charged overnight on Tuesday.
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Jaidyn’s body was found just after 4pm on Monday after reports of an injured child at the address. Emergency services attended but he could not be revived.
At court, magistrate Jon Bentley directed a brief of evidence be served on Mr Pallant’s lawyers by November 27.
Prosecutors were granted extra time to prepare their brief because of potential delays with expert reports.
The court heard Mr Pallant was suffering from unspecified injuries but had been seen by a nurse while in custody.
He will next appear in court on January 22.