States Review Child Case Rules

The Age

Wednesday June 25, 2008

Penelope Debelle and Carol Nader

VICTORIAN and South Australian governments were at a loss yesterday to establish when and how they could have intervened in the case of a pregnant mother of seven who was yesterday in custody over allegations she neglected and endangered her children.

The woman, 28, who moved from Geelong to Adelaide three months ago, was refused bail in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court because of the risk she would flee interstate. She was charged with five counts of criminal neglect, two of acting to endanger life and three of acting in a way likely to cause harm.

The alleged offences, which relate to failing to provide food, shelter and medical attention, took place between February 1 and Monday when police raided two houses in Adelaide and found up to 21 children living in vermin-infested filth and squalor. It is believed the woman has the contagious skin disease scabies.

On Sunday night, six of her seven children were admitted to hospital in relation to neglect and poor nutrition. The children, aged between four and seven, will be found foster homes in South Australia.

The woman, who moved between the houses, had been staying with a pregnant relative who had 12 children. Another male relative with children also stayed with them, cramming up to 21 children into a three-bedroom, publicly owned house.

The woman called an ambulance on Sunday night for her sick son.

Paramedics alerted authorities after finding the boy seriously ill with malnutrition and hypothermia.

South Australian Families and Communities Minister Jay Weatherill said the woman's case file in Victoria had been closed a year ago and she had not come to the attention of SA authorities until Sunday.

The other woman was known to SA authorities for not paying rent and her children missing school. Mr Weatherill said the family would be rehoused in an eight-bedroom property.

Victorian Community Services Minister Lisa Neville ordered a review to ensure the department suitably handled the charged woman's case.

Mr Weatherill said the current protocol did not require that Victoria notify South Australia about a closed file, but this would be looked at.

Existing protocols detect any children on protective orders when they move between states. The charged woman's children were not under protection orders.

Department of Human Services spokesman Paul McDonald said it would be unreasonable for the department to monitor all families who came to its attention if there were no further concerns about the care or protection of children.

National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect chief executive Maree Faulkner said there was a national crisis in child abuse and neglect arising out of mental illness, substance abuse, intellectual disability and domestic violence.

The Federal Government is developing national guidelines for child protection.