In March 2017, five-month-old Justin sustained catastrophic head injuries while in the care of his father, an intravenous drug user with a history of paranoia and domestic violence. The incident, which the father claimed was an accidental fall, immediately drew skepticism from detectives. The case, however, then disappeared. No criminal charges were laid, and the coroner declined to hold an inquest.
Guardian Australia’s investigation has now uncovered that police sent a child protection detective to the family home two months prior to the death, after an anonymous tip alleged the baby had visible injuries and was flinching at touch. That visit was never formally recorded in police systems, and child safety authorities were not notified.
The father’s background included jail time for breaching domestic violence orders and prior allegations of child assault. Weeks before the fatality, he called a mental health service reporting extreme paranoia and uncontrollable anger.
An autopsy revealed the baby suffered from not only the fatal head trauma but also 17 broken ribs and a fractured femur, injuries the pathologist deemed “highly suspicious for non-accidental injury.” The boy was also severely underweight.
Despite this, police concluded the investigation was inconclusive regarding homicide charges. Former detective and domestic violence expert Kate Pausina called the case a “perfect storm” of failures across child safety, police, and health departments. Sources with direct knowledge and a former officer have voiced significant concerns that the Queensland coroner never held an inquest, effectively allowing the systemic breakdowns to avoid public scrutiny.