Territory Families, NT WorkSafe investigating reports of a young child locked in a cage at a Stuart Highway worksite

Investigations have been launched over allegations a young child was ‘inappropriately secured’ on a highway industrial site in the Northern Territory.

Territory Families and NT WorkSafe have confirmed they are investigating reports that a child was inappropriately secured on a Stuart Highway worksite.

A toddler was allegedly kept locked in a cage at a Top End industrial site.

Territory Families and NT WorkSafe has confirmed it is investigating reports a child was inappropriately secured on a Stuart Highway worksite.

The NT News understands the alarm was raised on Tuesday, May 14, sparking police to attend the industrial site, which cannot be named for legal reasons.

It is understood the child was between two or three years old and was allegedly put in a custom-made makeshift ‘secure enclosure’, described by witnesses as a “cage”.

Territory Families confirmed it was “aware of this matter and are looking into it”.

“The safety of children is our top priority, and we take seriously any allegation of child harm,” a spokeswoman said.

She said under mandatory reporting rules everyone in the Territory “must report your concerns if you believe a child is being, or has been, harmed or abused”.

“This includes police who can report suspected harm to our department,” the spokeswoman said.

“We work with children, families, communities, police and relevant agencies to assess and respond to any reports of suspected harm to children.”

A NT Police spokesman said the department was not able to comment, as it was a matter for Territory Families.

NT WorkSafe also confirmed that police raised a safety concern with their department on Thursday, May 16, days after the alleged incident.

“NT Police has raised a safety concern after receiving reports that a young child had been secured in inappropriate conditions at a worksite,” a spokesman said.

“NT WorkSafe Inspectors have commenced an inquiry into (the) incident.”

Another witness, who asked not to be named, said the three-year-old was secured in the fenced-off area to prevent them “running around the worksite”.

He said the child was in a “play pen” with mats on the ground, with the secured enclosure built around them to prevent them escaping.

“Because three-year-olds climb over playpens all the time... it’s so they didn’t wander around.”