Content Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised the following includes the names of First Nations people who have passed away.
An inquest into the death of a 10-year-old boy who was under the care of the WA Department of Communities has opened today at Perth Coroner’s Court.
The young boy, who cannot be named, died on 12 April 2024 in Perth while living with a relative. The Court has identified the boy as Child SJ.
The inquest will examine if the boy’s death was suicide or an accidental death, and the quality of the supervision, treatment and care by the Department. There will also be a focus on whether the Department should have ensured he underwent a comprehensive medical and psychological assessment upon entering the child protection system or after he displayed a period of challenging behaviours, and the mental health support available to him.
The boy had been removed from his parents in 2020, and they had been working towards being reunited with their son and his siblings who were also living in out of home care.
The National Justice Project is representing the child’s parents at the inquest.
The boy’s parents said:
“We just want to find out the truth about what happened to our son and we want the Department to answer for any failures that have contributed to his death.
“SJ was a much-loved son and brother. He was a gentle and cheeky little man with a love of animals, Minecraft and kicking a ball around.”
Karina Hawtrey, Senior Solicitor at National Justice Project said:
“This little boy was deeply loved, and his parents are carrying a grief made worse by the lack of clarity around his death.
“His family deserve answers, and the community deserves transparency. We hope the Coroner will closely scrutinise the Department’s oversight and any decisions, or lack thereof, that have led to his death.”
Please note that the case is subject to a Court order suppressing the name and any evidence likely to identify the child and his siblings, and the identification of other family members likely to lead to the identification of the child and his siblings.
