Mason Lee death: mother refused to take toddler to doctor, despite him lying in ‘volumes of vomit’

MASON Lee’s absent mother refused to take him to a doctor before he died, despite being sent a photo of him lying in a pool of vomit, a court has heard.

Mason Lee died of horrific internal injuries.

THE absent mother of Queensland toddler Mason Lee refused to take him to a doctor the day before he died, despite being sent a photo of her 21-month-old son lying in a pool of vomit, a court has heard.

Anne-Maree Lee, 27, and two others have been charged with Mason’s manslaughter, with police alleging the trio quibbled about whose responsibility it was to take him to the doctor as he lay dying.

His stepfather, Andrew O’Sullivan, 37, is alleged to have inflicted horrific, head-to-toe injuries on the boy, who was found dead at his home at Caboolture, north of Brisbane, about 12.30pm on June 11.

Anne-Maree Lee, mother of dead toddler Mason Lee.

A third person, Ryan Robert Hodson, 17, who lived at the house, allegedly sent Lee pictures of her son lying in vomit the day before he died, the Courier-Mail reported, but the pair both argued over whose responsibility it was to take him to a doctor.

Hodson told police the toddler had been vomiting for five days before he died.

By the time paramedics were called to the house, it was too late, and the toddler’s body was allegedly thrown, “like a football” to an ambulance officer over a gate that could not be unlocked.

Hodson wept as he was refused bail over Mason’s manslaughter in Caboolture Magistrates Court on Monday.

Ryan Robert Barry Hodson, 17, said Mason was not his responsibility.

Anne-Maree Lee with her son Mason.

Both O’Sullivan and Lee have also been remanded in custody, facing the same charge.

Hodson refused on multiple occasions to get Mason medical help when asked, his bail hearing was told.

He allegedly told one person who said the toddler needed to see a doctor to “f*** your mouth up, it’s not our business, it’s not our problem”.

He also allegedly told another person that he wouldn’t take Mason to see a doctor because he “wasn’t his child”.

The court heard Hodson was captured on CCTV verbally abusing the child on three occasions leading up to his death.

On separate occasions Hodson told Mason “you walk like a spastic, hurry up and grab your f***ing bottle” and “shut up c*** or I’m going to hit you in the head”.

Police prosecutor Aaron Murray said Mason suffered widespread injuries including scarring and bruising to his legs, abdomen and head.

The connective tissue between his scalp and skull had also been torn indicating his hair had been pulled.

Specifically, police allege Mason died as a result of inflammation from a ruptured small intestine but who caused the fatal injury is not known.

Mason’s stepfather Andrew William O'Sullivan, 37, has also been charged with his manslaughter.

His mother Lee looked scared and weak when she was denied bail in Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Monday.

The court heard Lee probably should have been aware of her son’s poor condition but had limited access to him.

In refusing bail, Magistrate Graham Lee, of no relation, found there was an unacceptable risk of the 27-year-old not appearing at future court dates.

The court also heard police were concerned Lee could interfere with witnesses if released.

O’Sullivan also remains in custody after not applying for bail during his brief appearance in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Saturday.