Boy, 5, died of ‘catastrophic’ and ‘confronting’ injuries police say
A little boy who police claim died at the hand of his own father was allegedly subjected to horrific torture with an “implement” before dying from injuries inflicted during a “brutal assault”.
Cairns
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A LITTLE boy who police claim died at the hand of his own father was allegedly subjected to horrific torture with an “implement” before dying from injuries inflicted during a “brutal assault”.
Jason Ross Allan Fourmile, 24, has been charged with the murder and torture of his five-year-old son Caiden.
Initial police inquiries indicate around 12.30pm on Tuesday, the boy was taken to the Yarrabah Hospital with life-threatening injuries and was flown to Townsville Hospital in a critical condition.
Detective Inspector Kevin Goan speaking in Cairns on Wednesday said police would allege that evidence collected to date suggested a number of assaults inflicted on the boy during “a protracted period” included one involving an “implement”.
“The charges involve the use of an implement, which we say cause significant injuries to the child,” he said.
“Unfortunately the injuries that cost the young boy his life, we say occurred on about the 16th of August this year.
“They were confronting to the investigators that are dealing with this matter and confronting for the family to have to deal with.”
Police declined to state what the alleged implement was.
Det Insp Goan said police will allege it was a “brutal assault” that killed the five-year-old.
“Certainly there was implied significant force that’s been used against the child that has cost the child his life,” he said.
“A brutal assault is what I’ll describe it as.
“It’s catastrophic, we allege that this incident or the series of potential assaults have occurred over an extended period, the duration which I can’t comment on.”
The Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs contacted by the Cairns Post was bound by the Child Protection Act and couldn’t reveal if the boy was known to the department.
“The death of any child is a tragedy and our hearts go out to the boy’s family, friends and community,” a spokesman said.
“If a child known to Child Safety dies, a child death review process is undertaken by a specialist internal review team. This review is then considered by an external mechanism, the independent Child Death Review Board located within the Queensland Family and Child Commission.”
“I always be there for use (sic) no matter what,” Mr Fourmile wrote on social media earlier this month.
Police stated the Child Protection Investigation Unit and the Brisbane-based Child Trauma Taskforce have been involved in the investigation.
Yarrabah Mayor Ross Andrews preparing to attend the funeral of Bishop Arthur Malcolm declined to comment when contacted by the Cairns Post.
“It would be inappropriate for me to comment now with sorry business,” he said.
Det Insp Goan said other unrelated children were currently living at the Yarrabah house where Caiden was allegedly assaulted.
“Certainly there’s quite an amount of support services that are linked into the family for the other people that were present at that house,” he said.
“Support Services (have been) linked into those so that they can recover, heal and get on with their lives having lost a close associate.
“Our message to the community would be that if you know people are suffering from domestic violence or you are aware that there is excessive use of force being exerted on children for disciplinary purposes or otherwise, that it’s incumbent upon everyone to protect that child.
“Reach out to police, reach out to other organisations to get support for those young people and by all means, if people fear reprisal for reaching out and seeking support, then they can contact Crimestoppers.”
Mr Fourmile’s matters were adjourned to October 12.
Yarrabah dad appears in court over alleged torture, murder of son
EARLIER: A Yarrabah father has had his matters mentioned in the Cairns Magistrates Court, charged with torturing and murdering his five-year-old son.
Jason Ross Allan Fourmile, 24, was represented by lawyer Mark Butler, who told Magistrate Terence Browne his client’s appearance was not required.
In addition to the torture and murder charges, Mr Fourmile is also facing two counts of assault occasioning bodily harm, two counts of assault occasioning bodily harm while armed/in company, and one count of grievous bodily harm.
Mr Fourmile’s matters were adjourned to October 12 and Mr Browne directed that a brief of evidence be disclosed to the defence by October 5.
He was remanded in custody.
Detective Inspector Kevin Goan is due to provide an update into police investigations into the boy’s death later today in Cairns.
Police previously said the five-year-old was taken to the Yarrabah Hospital with life-threatening injuries and was flown to Townsville Hospital in a critical condition at 12.30pm on Tuesday, August 16.
The boy died on Monday, August 22.
A Yarrabah health worker said there was an overwhelming sense of sadness in the community and traditional sorry business would be acknowledged.
“It’s just gives you goosebumps, it’s just sad,” he said.
The funeral of Bishop Arthur Malcolm is also taking place today.
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