Father fronts court, charged with murder as family pay tribute to baby Lucas
A 22-year-old Benalla charged with murdering his seven-week-old son has fronted court, making no application for bail. It comes as devastated family members pay tribute to their “beautiful” baby Lucas.
VIC News
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The young father charged over the death of his infant son has today fronted court.
Joseph William McDonald, 22, from Benalla, has been charged 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 made no application for bail.
The court heard it was Mr McDonald’s first time in custody.
He showed no emotion, looking straight ahead as Magistrate Robert Kumar remanded him to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court tomorrow for a filing hearing.
Lawyer Sharon Healey said Mr McDonald was particularly vulnerable due to his age.
The hearing lasted just five minutes where it was requested Mr McDonald be seen by a nurse.
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.
The baby’s devastated grandmother last night told the Sunday Herald Sun: “We are not coping very well. My daughter is absolutely beside herself.”
The death sparked an outpouring of grief online.
“I’m sending all my love to you all,’’ one woman, believed to be a friend of the family, wrote online.
“This is absolutely heartbreaking. I couldn’t even imagine the pain you are all in. R.I.P. sweet baby.”
Another sad tribute on social media said: “Rest easy beautiful.”
Homicide squad detectives had said on Saturday they were keen to speak to Mr McDonald, and released an image of him as part of an appeal for public information.
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At the time it was thought he may have been travelling back to Benalla using public transport.
An earlier police statement said: “Investigators believe McDonald may be able to assist with their inquiries, and urge him to make contact with police via triple-0 or by attending any police station.
“Police are liaising with McDonald’s immediate family who are also keen to hear from him, as they are concerned about his welfare.”