A bereaved mother who claims South Australia police refused to help her search for her missing son because it was outside of the station’s operating hours has lodged a formal complaint against the force.
Speaking to The Advertiser, Julia Trinne says she arrived at Norwood police station at approximately 7.30am on 8 July 2014, just 30 minutes after realising her four-year-old son Luca and mentally unwell husband David Janzow were missing. Seeing officers inside the station, Trinne knocked frantically on the station door, with police refusing to speak to her until the station officially opened at 8am.
Luca Janzow. Source: Facebook / David Janzow.
“I could see people in the station but they would not open the doors because it was not opening time,” Trinne said, continuing, “I understand protocols but when it is obvious something major is wrong you would think surely they would be able to realise this and act.”
At the same time, Janzow, who had a long history of mental health issues and had been diagnosed with depression and bipolar disorder, was murdering her son.
Luca Janzow. Source: Facebook / David Janzow.
When Trinne was admitted into the station, she says police were more focussed on the fact that she could not remember her husband's car registration than anything else.
Following his arrest, Janzow told police he had killed his son because he was a psychopath and believed his son showed signs of the same behaviour. The murder, he said, was an attempt to "save Luca from what was to come."
Janzow was ultimately found not guilty of murder due to mental incompetence.
Trinne, who now lives interstate, has said she plans to demand a coronial inquest into Luca’s death.
South Australia Police refused to comment on Trinne's complaint and the investigation that is currently underway into the police's response.
If you or someone you know needs help you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.], the Kid's Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or the Men's Helpline on 1300 78 99 78.
Top Comments
I'm confused.
Police stations have opening and closing hours?
Crime doesn't just happen from 8am -5pm.
Wth?
This poor woman:(:(
they do. The public are meant to ring up and go through the control room. The unions are very strong in the policing arena. No one opens that door. A little boy died and his mum did her best to save him. The coroner could be a chance of finding out why it turned out with a murder.
Many do especially in smaller/quieter regional & rural areas etc. I don't understand why she didn't call 000? That way officers in the area who were on duty could have been directed there, also of course they would be worried about the rego, it would make it so much easier for him to be found!
Exactly my thoughts. Just call 000
Having the licence plate would also be a huge help for Police to actually find the person you are worried about if they are on the road which is why they focused on that question.
There are reasonable and practical explanations behind this but you seem to think it's trivial.
Your statement that the car is blue does not help anyone.
Im sure if you were frantically trying to find your son you'd be of a sound enough mind to remember such in depth detail instead of panicking...
How horrifying. This is incredibly sad. There really isn't enough help and support for family members affected my another person's mental illness. There have been inter-generational issues within my family, and such a dearth of support. Vulnerable children at risk, yet other adults distancing themselves from mentally unstable parents for self-protection etc. Children who don't recognise something is wrong, or eventually do and feel afraid to expose what has been going on, lest they 'betray' their parent.
It sounds like 000 may possibly been of more help if they'd dispatched officers form another 24 hour station. All the if onlys. Too awful.