A four-year-old boy had been referred to authorities three times amid concerns that his mother was experiencing suspected drug-induced psychosis before she allegedly killed him and consumed parts of his body.
The 32-year-old woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, approached police in Wyong on the NSW Central Coast on Saturday and allegedly told officers she had eaten parts of her young son.
Officers then attended the family’s one-bedroom community housing unit on Byron Street, where they found the child dead with severe injuries to his arms.
It is understood the boy may have been dead for several days before authorities were alerted.
The mother and child had moved to the area five months earlier after fleeing domestic violence, although Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) workers had reportedly been in contact with the family for at least a year before the tragedy.
The most recent contact was in January, when caseworkers examined whether the boy, then a toddler, faced a risk of serious neglect due to concerns about his mother’s alleged substance abuse.
Despite those concerns, there was not enough evidence to substantiate allegations of drug and alcohol misuse, and the child remained in his mother’s care until his death.
On Monday afternoon, around 40 locals gathered for a vigil at Wyong Memorial Pool, where one mother told Daily Mail that her son, Jayden, had played with the boy at a birthday party.
The boy’s mother (pictured), 32, allegedly told police she had consumed parts of her son
The woman (pictured with her son) allegedly turned up to a police station and directed officers to her house
Jayden is pictured at the vigil with his mother, right. He played with the little boy at a birthday party
‘He seemed really normal and happy and full of energy, but he was a shy little kid,’ she said.
‘I honestly wish we’d got to know him because my son absolutely loved playing with him.’
Jayden kept to himself throughout the vigil. He played games on a phone and did not interact with other children.
She said the boy’s mother ‘seemed really quiet’ and ‘was really nice to speak to’ when their kids were playing together.
‘The mum seemed fine, the little boy seemed fine, there’s nothing that stands out,’ she said.
‘It all goes back to the fact that you don’t know what happens behind closed doors.’
Others at the vigil said they did not know the boy or his mother, but they thought it was important to pay their respects.
The Mail understands the majority of the mother’s family live in Gunnedah and Armidale in the state’s north.
Pictured: Tributes left by locals at a vigil for a four-year-old boy in Wyong
Members of the community could be seen hugging at the vigil
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There were a number of teary-eyed children at the vigil on Monday (pictured)
About 40 locals paid tribute to the little boy on Monday in Wyong (pictured)
At the vigil, teary-eyed children laid their favourite toys while others left Spider-Man balloons.
Most locals were in disbelief over the allegations.
A member of the Wyong church almost broke down as she said a prayer for the boy.
News Corp reported the little boy came to the attention of the DCJ in early 2024 when a family member expressed concern for his welfare.
It was at that point that DCJ became aware of her suspected drug use and psychosis episodes.
The mother was then referred to an early intervention program that allowed him to stay in his mother’s custody.
Daily Mail previously revealed the mother had a number of domestic disputes with at least two members of her immediate family, dating back more than a decade.
Her own mother had an apprehended violence order against her, as did another male relative.
NSW Police attend a Wyong property where they found the body of a four-year-old boy (pictured)
Police arrested a woman after her son’s body was found in their unit (pictured)
She was also caught up in civil disputes with a community housing group in Tamworth, and Transport for NSW after her drivers licence was disqualified last year.
The mother-of-one has appeared in courts in Gunnedah, Mount Druitt and Penrith.
Police could still be seen at the crime scene on Monday, two days after her arrest.
The apartment building remained cordoned off.
Soft toys and cards for the little boy were left at the front door and at the top of the driveway.
According to court documents seen by the Daily Mail, police will allege she killed her son between 4pm and 5pm on July 4.
She was charged with murder and appeared in Bail Court on Saturday, where bail was formally refused.
Her matter is back in Wyong Local Court on September 1.
