Chloe Murphy inquest: Coroner releases findings into baby girl’s death
THEY have waited more than five years and sat through a homicide trial. But now Chloe Murphy’s parents may finally learn what happened to their girl.
CHLOE Murphy’s parents may finally learn what led to the death of their baby girl in Melbourne more than five years ago.
Chloe, 10 months, died two days after she was left in the care of babysitter Ketapat Jenkins in December 2010.
Mrs Jenkins was found not guilty of child homicide in 2014 but could be retried if fresh and compelling evidence came to light, an inquest heard earlier this month.
Coroner Jacqui Hawkins is expected to deliver her findings on Chloe’s death later this morning.
Chloe was discovered limp and unresponsive by her parents Anthony and Phurithee Murphy when they arrived to collect her from Mrs Jenkins’ Kensington home.
She was rushed to the Royal Children’s Hospital where it was discovered she had a fractured skull and arm, a significant brain injury and eye haemorrhages.
A panel of nine medical experts told the Victorian Coroners Court Chloe’s injuries were likely non-accidental and probably occurred after she was taken to Mrs Jenkins’ home.
The experts said Chloe’s injuries were consistent with a scenario where her arm was grabbed and twisted, as well as shaking and the baby being thrown against the floor or a wall.
Other potential but less likely options were that Chloe might have fallen down the stairs in a walker or in her carer’s arms or that she fell or was thrown from the first floor.
Mrs Jenkins was due to give evidence at Chloe’s inquest but was excused by Coroner Hawkins after her barrister objected on the grounds of self-incrimination.
Barrister Mandy Fox said any testimony Mrs Jenkins gave could constitute fresh and compelling evidence, potentially exposing her to another prosecution or tending to prove she had committed an offence.
Victoria Police wrote to the court last year and said, as the case stood, there were no plans to lay further charges against Mrs Jenkins.
Chloe’s father Tony Murphy has called for Mrs Jenkins to be trialled again for murder.
The Director of Public Prosecutions said further charges were possible, if there was fresh evidence but that was “speculative”. Mrs Jenkins has consistently denied harming Chloe deliberately or accidentally.
— with AAP.
