Father charged with murder of five-year-old son in Carlingford stabbing

Police have charged the father of a five-year-old boy, who died after suffering multiple stab wounds, with murder.

Police have charged the father of a five-year-old boy, who died after suffering multiple stab wounds, with murder.

The 36-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was taken into police custody at around 7am this morning in Carlingford.

The boy died after being stabbed during a dispute at a home in Sydney’s northwest this morning, in an act police described as “horrendous”.

His grandmother, aged in her 60s, tried to take the child to safety and called police and emergency services to the home in Carlingford around 7am.

NSW police are seen at a crime scene in Carlingford. Picture: AAP

Paramedics performed CPR and the boy was rushed by police escort to Westmead Children’s Hospital in a critical condition but he died about an hour later.

“The level of violence is horrendous,” NSW Police Superintendent Rob Critchlow told reporters at the scene.

“A young boy has died from being injured in his home, it’s probably about as bad as it gets, really.”

NSW Police Superintendent Rob Critchlow. Picture: AAP

Supt Critchlow said “it’s been a horrible and brutal crime against a very young, defenceless boy which requires complete investigation”.

Supt Critchlow said the grandmother, who wasn’t injured in the attack, did what “every grandmother would do”.

“She’s behaved in a heroic and caring manner. She’s been presented with something terrible and done her best to get the young boy to safety and to get him treatment.

“Sadly, despite her best efforts, there was nothing more she could have done.”

Paramedics have treated the grandmother for shock.

Neighbour Mack Lee. Picture: David Swift

Neighbour Mack Lin described the family neighbourhood as peaceful and said the incident was beyond belief.

“It’s awful … it’s such a nice neighbourhood, normal suburbia … lots of kids, people with prams walking their dogs … it’s crazy.”

“How can you think about hurting someone so young?”

The Lewins, who live in the house next door, described the little boy as “intelligent” and “bold.”

Nathalie Lewin said the boy’s father was a lovely man who doted on his son.

She said he had become reclusive in the last month after suffering health issues.

The child’s mother, who was not at the home when the attack happened, is being supported by medical professionals at the hospital where her son died. Police say they have the weapon used on the boy.

“It was a sharp weapon — we believe a knife,” Supt Critchlow said. Two crime scenes have been set up, at the home on Paul Place and nearby Moseley Street.

— With AAP

Police are urging anyone with information in relation to this incident to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au/