‘Very disturbing’ details emerge after kids allegedly bound, gun pointed at head

Police have revealed disturbing details after they allegedly uncovered a photo of two children bound with duct tape while a man points a firearm at one of their heads.

WARNING: Disturbing content

A man is accused of pointing an “operable” firearm at two boysbound with duct tape.

The 44-year-old man was arrested at a property in Emerald, in Queensland’s Central Highlands, after investigations into illegal firearms and illicit drugs.

A man has been charged with two counts of alleged deprivation of liberty. Picture: Queensland Police

While items were being seized at the man’s property on May 26, police located a mobile phone that allegedly contained an image of the man and two children bound with duct tape.

The image also allegedly depicted the man pointingan “operable”firearm at the twoboys, aged three and four.

Queensland Police Detective Inspector Luke Peachey told reporters on Tuesday the man allegedly held the handgun “to one of (the children’s) heads in a threatening manner”.

He described the image as “very disturbing” and “alarming”, and alleged it was forwarded to “to a number of other persons”.

Police said the children had been identified and were safe.

“They were in the company of their mothers and were in good spirits,” he said.

“What I do want to highlight is that the (alleged) offender has got no access to the those children, and will not be able to get near those children.”

It’s alleged the children are known to the man but are not related.

Detective Inspector Peachey said police were still working to determine if the image was “staged”, though did not believe the image was used for blackmail purposes.

“(This incident is) obviously very concerning,” he said.

“Given that … (the) firearm was actually an operable firearm and could be fired, and the fact that those children, three years and four years of age, were bound with duct tape; whether it was in jest or whether it was … threatening, doesn’t matter.”

He said it was the “first time” he had ever witnessed an image of this sort.
“It’s not every day that you come across that,” he said.
“In fact, I’ve been a detective for over 26 years and it’s the first time I’ve seen anything like that.”

The man was granted strict bail conditions and is expected to face court next month. Picture: Queensland Police

The man has been charged with unlawful possession of category H firearms, dangerous conduct with a weapon and two counts of deprivation of liberty.

He has been granted bail on strict conditions and is expected to face Emerald Magistrates Court on August 26.

Detective Inspector Peachey said the bail conditions include a curfew and reporting conditions, which the man has “complied with”.

In a separate incident, a 59-year-old man was arrested and charged with numerous offences at a property in Emerald on July 18 after community members raised the alarm.

Aman was arrested at a property in Emerald after extensive investigations into illegal firearms and illicit drugs. Picture: Queensland Police

It’s alleged the man provided dangerous drugs to a child before sexual assaulting them between June and July 2025.

“The man has been charged with the grooming of a child under 16 years, rape, supplying dangerous drugs to a minor and breach of bail,” police said.

He has been remanded in custody and was expected to face Emerald Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

Two men were charged with multiple alleged offences. Picture: Queensland Police

Queensland Police Detective Sergeant Dylan Brook said police were “committed to supporting victims of sexual abuse with compassion, and worked diligently and tirelessly to hold offenders accountable through the court system”.

“I would like to thank the community members for having the courage to report the matters to the police and supporting the victim-survivors,” he said.

Originally published as ‘Very disturbing’ details emerge after kids allegedly bound, gun pointed at head