Newborn, mum rushed to hospital after teens allegedly attack home
A newborn baby has been rushed to hospital with a fractured skull after a horrifying alleged home invasion in a troubled Australian town.
A newborn baby has been rushed to hospital with a fractured skull after two teens allegedly stormed a home in Alice Springs.
Emergency services were called to the home in Larapinta after reports two males had unlawfully entered the property about 2.30pm on Wednesday.
Police allege one threatened a woman who was holding her two-month-old baby before assaulting her with a blunt weapon, while another searched the home.
The two youths allegedly fled the scene with the woman’s handbag and vehicle keys but were located by police a short time later, with one of the men placed under arrest.
A second youth allegedly fled in a vehicle but after a short pursuit was also arrested by Northern Territory police.
The woman, who was at home with four children at the time, was rushed to Alice Springs Hospital.
The infant sustained a serious head injury and was also taken to Alice Springs, before being flown to Adelaide for further treatment where they remained in a stable condition.
Detective Superintendent Regional Crime Paul Lawson said police responded “en masse” to the alleged incident, and thanked the first responders who attended.
“This is an absolutely shocking incident. I’m shocked. The community is shocked. First responders are shocked,” he said in a social media video.
“Our thoughts go out to the victims of this incident, their families. I cannot even think about what they’re going through.”
Two boys, aged 16 and 17, have since been charged over the alleged attack, including with aggravated burglary and robbery.
They also face charges of unlawfully causing serious harm, aggravated assault, and theft, and were due in court on Thursday.
The horrific attack comes after nine days of escalating violence in the Northern Territory town which has seen crime move away from the inner city into the suburbs
There have been reports of abduction, sexual assault, home burglaries, home invasions and stolen motor vehicles since December 3.
NT Police Commissioner Michael Murphy said it was totally unacceptable and people needed to feel safe in their homes,” he said.
“We’ve seen a shift from really public space and inner-city activity to activity in the suburbs,” he said.
“We’ve met with the team this morning and given really clear instructions about repurpose, as well as the operational response of four or five police cars, night police cars, calling and responding to calls for public assistance.”
Mr Murphy said officers would target specific locations and focus on people who should not be there.
“Our thoughts are with all the victims of crime, especially the mum and the two-month-old baby who are in Adelaide and seeking medical attention,” he said.
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro issued a statement on Thursday acknowledging the “hurt, fear and anger” in the Alice Springs community, which felt the system had “let them down for a very long time.”
“The recent tragic events highlight the dire consequences of years of policy failure,” she said.
“The high level of violent offending is not acceptable and takes a huge toll on our community and emergency responders.
“People have a right to be safe in their homes.
“The community deserves to be safe.”
As part of the territory’s response to escalating crime in Alice Springs, the chief minister said a Fugitive Taskforce would target people with outstanding warrants, high-risk repeat offenders and urban streets.
“Alice Springs will be divided into five sectors, four urban including the CBD, and one rural sector,” she said.
“This means Operation Ludlow will be divided into intensive patrols in those sectors and supported by additional police to give highly visible, high engagement policing.”
The chief minister is expected to hold urgent meetings over the coming days with community bodies and announce further measures to reduce crime.
“I thank our police for their brave and diligent work to ensure the offenders could not cause further harm to our community,” she said.
“I thank all of the first responders who provided urgent care to the victims.”
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