Court hears Mussie Debresay kicked, stomped two-year-old girl before her death

A TODDLER was routinely neglected and abused, left unwashed, and fed a diet of milk and noodles before being bashed to death, a court has heard.

GET LEGAL ADVICE BEFORE RUNNING. Coroner supressed name in 2013.Mussie Debresay Charged today over 2005 killing. Shannon deery said this is him IDentified by the police.

A TODDLER was routinely neglected and abused, left unwashed, and fed a diet of milk and noodles before being bashed to death, a court has heard.

Those close to little Tonnja Huynh had contacted the Department of Human Services in the lead-up to her death as suspicions of maltreatment grew, a court heard.

But police allege she was ultimately bashed to death by her mother’s partner, Mussie Debresay, who is accused of murdering the two-year-old between May 12 and 13, 2005.

Mr Debresay, 37, was charged with murder and three other assault-related offences in May last year, 10 years to the day after Tonnja died.

His arrest came after a coroner concluded in 2013 that Tonnja’s mother, Jennifer Louey, and Mr Debresay were responsible for the girl’s death.

A Melbourne Magistrates’ Court committal hearing yesterday was told the victim’s brother saw Mr Debresay “kicking or stomping” on little Tonnja.

MORE: BAIL GRANTED IN TODDLER DEATH CASE

Samantha Barry, who regularly babysat the victim and her two siblings, told the court she remembered Tonnja’s brother saying, “I saw Daddy MJ (Mr Debresay) stomping on Tonnja’s back”.

The boy, now aged 14, will be a key witness in the case against the alleged killer.

Ms Barry told the court she had also seen Mr Debresay being “rough” with Tonnja, and raised her concerns with Ms Louey.

But she told the court she also recalled Ms Louey neglecting and abusing her children, repeatedly calling her son “a stupid boy”.

Ms Barry said Ms Louey was an impatient mum who had little time for her kids.

She said on one occasion: “Tonnja had to tried to cuddle her mother and she was pushed so hard she fell over.”

Ms Barry’s mum, Gail Phillips, told the court she remembered Ms Louey in the same way.

“She just never seemed to be there with them and I didn’t think that was right,” she said.

The committal hearing continues.

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Originally published as Court hears Mussie Debresay kicked, stomped two-year-old girl before her death