Trigger warning: this article contains information about child abuse.
A horrifying Seven News report has revealed that five children were bashed to death in Queensland.
Police are now further investigating the cases after it is believed that the state government’s Child Safety department already knew they were at risk.
Dubbed the “death list”, the Queensland Child Death Case Review Panel have now named 51 children who brutally died, but were known to the government.
Their causes of deaths include assault, suicides, and chronic medical conditions, according to The Courier Mail.
Some were aged just one-year-old when they were killed.
The investigations have been triggered after a Brisbane toddler, Mason Lee, was murdered at his home, in early June. Just months before his death, Mason had been taken to hospital suffering serious injuries but was allowed to return home.
Mason Lee. Image via Channel 7.
Child Safety Minister, Shannon Fentiman, has noted that a number of children were previously in the care of the department.
"In three cases there was previous involvement with the department, but not current involvement," Fentiman said.
"In one case the young person was in the care of the department at the time of death and in one case the child was subject to ongoing intervention through Intervention with Parental Agreement."
Shockingly, a number of young people are also choosing to take their own lives.
"Sixteen deaths were from diseases and morbid conditions, eight were the result of accidents, such as road fatalities, fire and drowning, and six were by suicide."
Bill Byrne, the Emergency Services Ministers, says that a review into their deaths is ongoing.
"There is an ongoing review; from my side of the fence there is an ongoing investigation by Queensland police."
The government's work has seen the number of children who have died and were known to the government decline in the past four years.
If this post brings up issues for you around sexual or emotional abuse, please call Bravehearts on 1800 272 831. If you are concerned about the welfare of a child you can get advice from The Child Abuse Prevention hotline on 1800 688 009 or visithttp://www.childabuseprevention.com.au/ or call The Child Abuse Report Line on: 131 478 (Open 24 hours). You can also call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Top Comments
This is something we should be deeply ashamed about in Australia. Firstly this sector has been under funded by all governments for far, far too long. Secondly, we need to stop with this bleeding heart notion that children are better off with their biological parents. You know what....Sometimes they are not!! Sometimes they will be more loved and safer with foster parents or adopted parents. Children at risk need to be removed, I don't care who's feelings get hurt. Thirdly we need more foster parents, this is something I have the capacity and means to do and the only reason I do not do it, is I couldn't bare to see a child handed back to unfit parents time and time again, it would break my heart.