Baby's Dozens of Injuries Ignored: No Charges Filed

In March 2017, five-month-old Justin died in Yeppoon from "catastrophic head injuries." An autopsy revealed dozens of prior suspicious injuries, including 17 fractured ribs and a broken femur, indicating potential abuse. Despite concerns about the infant being "known to child safety" and a father with a criminal history, police investigations did not lead to criminal charges.

Serious concerns about Justin's well-being were documented two months before his death, yet they were not formally investigated by child safety authorities. The police investigation into his death was deemed inconclusive, and the coroner subsequently declined to hold an inquest, leaving critical questions about the systemic failures surrounding his death unresolved.

Internal documents highlight that a child protection detective visited the family home two months before Justin's death, but information about this visit was not logged in police systems, and child safety was not notified of the outcome. This lack of inter-agency communication is a significant point of concern in the case.

Justin's father, who has a history of drug offenses, domestic violence, and threats, provided an explanation for the infant's injuries that detectives doubted. The autopsy findings, including multiple rib fractures and a broken femur, were deemed "highly suspicious for non-accidental injury" and could not be explained by the father's account of a fall.

Despite the extensive evidence of prior harm and the suspicious circumstances of his death, no charges have been laid. The Queensland police stated their investigation was thorough and referred the matter to the coroner. However, the decision not to hold an inquest has drawn criticism from child safety workers and former detectives, who view it as a missed opportunity to establish accountability and learn from systemic failures.