The circumstances of the dying of an apparently “thriving” three-month-old child stay unknown, an inquest has concluded.
“It’s tragic, however we merely don’t know what occurred to KP,” NSW deputy state coroner Kasey Pearce mentioned on Friday.
The toddler KP was discovered useless at his mom’s residence in Corowa within the NSW Riverina area in January 2022.
The inquest revealed attainable causes of dying together with drowning, suffocation and insufficient diet, Pearce mentioned on the inquest in Sydney.
However there was inadequate proof in assist for any of those.
She mentioned the out there proof from the inquest didn’t permit her to search out trigger, place or method of KP’s dying.
Pearce additionally rejected the account his mom gave police after KP’s dying, which included leaving her child within the care of an unidentified man.
“It’s implausible and inconsistent,” she mentioned.
“Sadly, the result’s there isn’t any proof main as much as the dying of KP.”
Pearce mentioned the coroners court docket knew nothing about KP’s rising persona, however the child was cherished by his household.
“Till his untimely dying he appeared to be thriving,” she mentioned.
The inquest examined the actions of these concerned within the care of KP and his mom earlier than his dying.
These included companies from the Division of Communities and Justice (DCJ), Murrumbidgee native well being district and Albury Wodonga Well being.
There have been shortcomings within the actions of the organisations, however Pearce mentioned her findings didn’t recommend that KP’s dying may have been prevented.
“Quite the opposite I used to be impressed with the care and professionalism of all who cared for KP,” she mentioned.
““It appeared to those that noticed KP together with his mom that KP was secure in her care.”
Within the lead-up to his start, DCJ accomplished a security evaluation the place potential risks have been famous together with his mom’s psychological well being and drug abuse.
However KP was deemed as “secure with a plan”, offered the involvement of social employees, and the assist of household and group companies.
Looking back, Pearce mentioned there have been indicators of accelerating threat for KP after his start.
His mom missed appointments together with for a dietician and lactation marketing consultant, and didn’t at all times reply the door to social employees.
“Even on days when she was clearly conscious they’d be visiting,” Pearce mentioned.
In her suggestions, Pearce mentioned the NSW Well being Protected Begin program ought to formalise its administration and governance, together with the clear allocation of roles and expectations.
This system provides care and early intervention packages for pregnant girls and their infants, and was liable for offering companies to KP and his mom.
On January 12, 2022 a member of the family attended the granny flat the place KP lived together with his mom, and heard child cooing sounds, Pearce mentioned.
“It’s the newest level through which we will set up that KP was alive,” she mentioned.
