Baby boy had ice in his system, court hears
A MAN accused of the murder of a baby boy —who also had ice in his system — allegedly gave an extraordinary account of how the child died.
A MAN accused of murdering his partner’s baby boy has blamed a spider for the injuries that killed the child.
Dwayne Lindsay, 34, is charged with murdering six-month old Chayse Dearing while his partner of three months and the child’s mother, Michelle Dearing, was out shopping.
Forensic paediatrician Geetika Badkar has told a committal hearing at Melbourne Magistrates Court the injuries Chayse suffered were widespread and the child was possibly strangled and shaken. Lindsay claimed the injuries happened when he was spooked by a spider.
He told the child’s mum he jolted, causing Chayse to roll off a mattress and hit his head on a wall heater, Dr Badkar said, recounting her discussion with Ms Dearing at the Royal Children’s Hospital where Chayse’s life support was switched off after two days.
Chayse was found covered in bruises when emergency crews attended a Glenroy unit on the morning of June 26, 2016.
Court documents allege child protection authorities received a report of concern in April 2016 about baby Chayse, based on transient living and drug use. However the report did not reach investigation stage.
Chayse was found with bruising around his neck, a bump on his head, and trauma to his head and genitalia.
Ms Dearing told Dr Badkar she smoked ice with Lindsay and friends in the lounge room in the hours before she left Chayse alone with him to go shopping. Medical experts cited by prosecutors say Chayse’s injuries were almost certainly caused by assault.
Earlier on Tuesday, Dr Badkar told the court low levels of methylamphetamine were found in Chayse’s urine.
“I’m unable to say how that entered Chayse’s body,” Dr Badkar said.
Dr Badkar said Chayse had widespread bruising on his body, including more recent bruising.
“That in itself is extremely significant in terms of timing - there may have been more than one event,” she said.
“There’s clearly blunt force trauma that’s occurred, including on his head and genital area, which is extremely concerning in an infant.” Chayse also had a pattern of bruising around his neck, indicating possible strangulation, she said.
The hearing continues.