Coronial inquest into Wagga toddler's death hears grim details from medical experts

CONTENT WARNING: This article contains distressing content.

Day two of a coronial inquest into the death of a 14-month-old Riverina boy (who can’t be named for legal reasons) has heard disturbing testimonies from medical experts about the toddler’s extensive external and internal injuries.

Wagga Wagga Local Court was told the autopsy revealed multiple bruises, a ruptured spleen, blunt force trauma to the head, blisters on his feet, fractured ribs, and cigarette lighter burns.

On 13 January 2019, emergency services were called to a Wagga home, where the toddler was found unresponsive and was later pronounced dead at Wagga Wagga Base Hospital. In May 2024, Riverina Police District investigators commenced a homicide investigation into the death but have yet to charge anyone.

The inquest, led by Deputy State Coroner Carmel Forbes with Counsel assisting Rob Ranken and Gráinne Marsden, heard from Newcastle forensic pathologist Dr Allan Cala and Westmead Children’s Hospital forensic paediatric specialist Dr Susan Marks via an audiovisual link on 17 September.

When Mr Ranken asked if anything in the toddler’s medical history could have led to his death, Dr Cala said no.

“Apart from reflux, he had been otherwise happy and healthy,” Dr Cala said.

He said the toddler had sustained severe blunt force trauma to his head days before his death.

“There were six instances of blunt force trauma to the head – one of those was several weeks old,” Dr Cala said.

Dr Marks said the recent episodes of blunt force trauma were not consistent with the normal activities of a toddler.

Dr Marks also said it was likely an adult inflicted the cigarette lighter burn injuries on the child’s hand.

“The top end of the cigarette lighter pattern is the same on the child’s hand,” Dr Marks said. “Very unusual for a child his age. It was deep and indented … recognised as a cigarette lighter mark.”

Both doctors rejected the idea that the child could have picked up a recently used lighter.

The court also heard the child sustained seven fractured ribs, had several bruises on his torso and the likely cause of death was a ruptured spleen.

“The only potential cause of the ruptured spleen is by applying external force to the child,” Dr Cala said.

“Most of the blood found in the abdominal cavity was from the spleen, with a small amount of blood around the liver.

“A blow to his abdomen could have ruptured his spleen,” Dr Marks added.

Dr Cala testified that the amount of blood found was 25 per cent of the child’s circulating blood volume, and this type of acute blood loss caused shock.

Mr Ranken said there were difficulties determining the time of death.

The toddler’s mother said: “When I came over, he just stayed stiff and didn’t budge or nothing.”

The main witness said: “When I took [the toddler] … his hands were stiff and didn’t flop down.”

The first ambulance officer said: “When I picked up the child, he felt warm but lifeless. I believed he was in cardiac arrest and most likely deceased.”

Upon hearing everyone’s testimonies, Dr Cala said the child had died in the early hours of the morning.

“His entire body was set in rigor mortis, suggesting the toddler had been dead for about five hours,” Dr Cala said.

“Time of death was sometime after 4 or 5 am,” Dr Marks said. “He was described as being alive at 2 am, which fits within the estimated timeframe.”

The court also heard from NSW Ambulance Officer Sascha Baldry – one of the four paramedics first on the scene.

“He was unresponsive and potentially in cardiac arrest. His limbs were outstretched at 90 degrees to his body, not floppy, and he was wearing only a nappy,” Ms Baldry said.

Ms Baldry told the court the toddler was brought outside into the ambulance and was given CPR by another officer while she went back inside the house to find out more about the child.

Upon entering the room, Ms Baldry noted a strong smell of vomit.

“The room with the cot was in disarray … I noticed a small patch of vomit on the floor near the cot,” Ms Baldry said. “There was a pink and red doona in the cot and an adult-sized pillow.”

The inquest continues today (18 September) at Wagga Wagga Local Court, with more witnesses expected to testify.