A father has been charged with murder over the death of his infant son with police alleging the boy suffered sustained injuries over several months.
Warning: this post deals with child abuse and may be distressing for some readers.
This little boy was due to turn two in a few months.
The precious stage when a child changes from cherubic baby to a toddler, that time when a little boy’s personality shines, when his cheeky grin is at its most devastating.
When strangers comment ooohh he’s growing up fast.
But this little boy will never turn two, he will never have the chance to grow up. As Corby Akehust died last week – the victim of a violent assault.
Corby was allegedly thrown repeatedly against a bed when he wouldn’t stop crying, he was found on the floor of his bedroom by his mother and the person arrested over the crime, his Dad.
Corby Akehurst died late Friday evening after succumbing to critical injuries which police allege were inflicted by his father, 33-year old Shane Purssell Akehurst.
Shane Akehurst was originally charged with grievous bodily harm and four counts of assault occasioning bodily harm – but afer the little boy died in hospital his charges were upgraded.
Yesterday he did not appear in court after a magistrate excused him. He is now charged with murder, torture and five counts of assault occasioning bodily harm.
Prosecutors say that Corby, the youngest of three children suffered sustained injuries over several months.
It is alleged that on Friday two-year old Corby was found convulsing on the floor of his bedroom by his mother, Kylie Woodford. Police say he began convulsing after his father threw him against the bed numerous times and left him slumped on the bedroom floor.
His mother called emergency services who treated the toddler at the scene before airlifting him to Brisbane’s Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital.
Tragically Corby died on Friday night from his injuries.
The Sunshine Coast Daily reports that since then police worked around the clock investigating the circumstances surrounding the boy’s critical injuries and tragic death.
The case was adjourned until May 4th.
We will keep you updated.
If you or anyone you know needs help with family violence please call Relationships Australia on 1300 364 277. If you have experienced, or are at risk of domestic violence or sexual assault, you can receive help by calling 1800 RESPECT – 1800 737 732. If you are in immediate danger please call the police on 000.
Top Comments
Possibly the mother was also abused by the husband ... I feel really sorry for the children. The government MUST provide an outlet for these women and their children to escape violent partners. It is ironic that there are so many people fighting for the rights of asylum seekers in this country (and so they should) but where is political strength to protect the population of women and children in this country being tortured every day by their violent partners?
I'm struggling to understand this too, particularly when my son and his wife have been trying for 8 years to have a baby, and this mongrel gets such a great gift and doesn't deserve it. The poor little boy deserved parents who loved him.