Autoposy set to uncover truth behind Corowa baby found in freezer
Weeks on, charges are still yet to be laid over the discovery of a Corowa baby found in a freezer, with autopsy set to uncover the truth.
Victoria
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Charges are yet to be laid weeks on from the discovery of a baby in a freezer in Corowa.
Three-month-old Kevin was found dead, wrapped in a blanket and plastic on January 19 in the tiny town located near the NSW/Victorian border.
His mother, Kylie Patten, was arrested and later released without charge.
Ms Patten, who previously boasted about how proud she was of her “cutie” son, has since gone quiet on social media.
Her wider family have found the wait for answers agonising.
Last week grandfather Wayne Patten, who lives in the Corowa home where Kevin was found dead, said he was still in the dark over what happened.
“If you ever figure it out (what happened to the child), you let me know, because I don’t know yet,” Mr Patten said.
It’s understood police are still waiting on autopsy results.
The autopsy will be able to determine exactly how Kevin died, and potentially how long ago.
A NSW police spokeswoman confirmed to the Herald Sun on Sunday that “investigations are ongoing”.
Teens bash gay men in ‘catfish’ ring
A gang of teens have been arrested over a disturbing “catfishing” ring in which an online dating app was used to lure gay men to a park in order to bash and rob them.
Police arrested five boys – all aged between 14 and 16 – during raids on Friday over the three alleged homophobic attacks which occurred during December and January.
The five arrests came after an older teen, aged 19, was charged in relation to the incidents last month.
The ambushes, which also allegedly involved homophobic slurs, occurred at parklands in Ashwood in Melbourne’s east.
Police will allege the boys used a dating app to pose as an adult male to lure their victims to a location in a reserve off Harlequin Ave where they lay in wait.
A police investigation began after the first alleged assault in December leading to the arrest of a 19-year-old man from Ashwood on January 27.
The man has been summonsed to appear at Ringwood Magistrates’ Court for attempted robbery and recklessly causing injury.
Investigators then raided three properties on Friday morning arresting five more teens allegedly involved in the catfishing ring.
The five boys – two aged 14, two aged 15, and a 16-year-old – were released later that day.
They are expected to be charged on summons with assault and robbery offences.
The incidents remain under investigation, which involved:
• An assault on a 47-year-old Glen Waverley man on December 16, 2021 about 9pm. He was not physically injured.
• An assault on a 42-year-old man from Ashwood two days later on December 18 about 1am. He sustained facial injuries
• An assault 27-year-old man from Ashwood on January 7 about 2am. He sustained minor injuries.
Victoria Police say they have increased their patrols of parks and gardens around the Ashwood area.
Det Sergeant Brendon Pollock, of the Eastern Divisional Crime Team 1, said everyone had a right to feel safe, including members of our LGBTIQ community.
“Prejudice motivated crime has no place in our society,’’ he said.
“Police treat any incidents motivated by hate seriously and we will act swiftly when we receive any reports.
“Victoria Police is committed to ensuring the safety of all members of our community, including Beat users.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Man dies in cliff fall
A young man has died after falling from a cliff and into the sea in Jan Juc on Saturday morning.
Police and emergency crews recovered the 22-year-old man’s body from the water after he fell from the cliff near Ocean Blvd about 2am.
SES crews and members of the Search and Rescue squad located his body in the water about 7.30am.
Police will prepare a report for the Coroner.
A CFA spokesman said crews from the Torquay brigade deployed high angle rescue equipment on the cliff, but the search remained unsuccessful until later on Saturday morning.
Firefighters remained at the scene on Saturday.
Freeway truck inferno
Elsewhere, drivers are being warned to expect major delays after a truck burst into flames in Melbourne’s north west, forcing emergency services to close all outbound lanes of a major road on Saturday.
A Fire Rescue Victoria spokeswoman said the semi-trailer carrying oil sparked a grassfire near the Western Ring Road just after 6.30am.
The spokeswoman said the blaze was brought under control just after 7.30am.
More than 20 vehicles remain at the scene as motorists continue to be diverted away from the fire.
Police and paramedics are also at the scene of the fire, which has since prompted alerts for residents in Ardeer, Cairnlea, Deer Park and St Albans to steer clear of the busy road as smoke remains visible in surrounding areas.
Flames stretched across all outbound lanes of the M80 Ring Road near Furlong Rd in St Albans, with commuters forced to detour at Sunshine Ave.
A Department of Transport spokesman said emergency services have since brought the blaze under control.
Two Greensborough-bound lanes have also been closed to steer drivers clear of the fire.
The spokesman said all six lanes remain closed and will reopen once the wreckage has been cleared.
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