The family of a three-month-old found dead in a freezer in rural New South Wales have told an inquest into his death that the little boy was loved.
A three-day hearing at the NSW Coroner's Court heard the baby, identified only as KP, was found wrapped in a blanket on the top shelf of a freezer in 2022 after police were called to his home to carry out a welfare check.
Jake Harris, the lawyer assisting the coroner, told the court that despite an extensive police investigation, the circumstances surrounding the child's death remain unknown.
No charges have been filed in the death and Mr. Harris said there was no reason to refer anyone involved in the investigation to the prosecutor's office.
Jake Harris told the inquest the circumstances surrounding the baby's death were still unknown. (ABC News: Ashlee Aldridge)
The inquest before Deputy Coroner Kasey Pearce will examine the circumstances surrounding the baby's death and whether the responses from relevant services were appropriate.
On the final day of the hearing, Mr. Harris spoke on behalf of the family members present.
“They have found this week very difficult … and express their gratitude,” Mr Harris said.
“You want to make it clear [KP] was loved.
The cause of death remains unknown
Dr. Susan Marks, a child protection pediatrician, told the inquest that the baby's cause of death could not be determined.
“But I think something happened,” said Dr. Marks.
She told the hearing she did not believe the death was the result of sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI) and could not rule out the possibility of asphyxia or drowning.
The investigation had previously heard statements from Dr. Bernard I'Ons, who performed the autopsy.
He told the hearing that the child suffered no physical injuries and that it was not possible to determine whether the baby was still alive when it was placed in the freezer.
He also pointed out that the possibility of drowning or suffocation could not be ruled out based on the autopsy.
The death of a three-month-old baby found in a freezer in 2022 is currently under investigation. (ABC Goulburn Murray: Erin Somerville)
The officer screamed in shock
On Monday, the inquest heard police were called by concerned family members to the property where the child lived with his mother, who also cannot be named, after the baby had not been seen for several days.
The investigation revealed that officers arrived at the property shortly after 10 p.m. and the mother refused to let police inside, telling them that KP was sick and was with a friend, whom she called “Only.”
When asked for the friend's name and address, she told police: “I'm sorry, darling, I'm not giving out those details.”
According to the investigation, officers forced entry into the property by kicking in the door and found the mother sitting alone on a bed with the television on.
Officers also found a bucket on the floor and an empty stroller in front of the refrigerator.
The inquest heard New South Wales police officers found the baby's body on the top shelf of a freezer. (file image) (ABC News: Ethan Rix)
According to the investigation, one of the officers began searching the property and discovered the baby in the freezer.
“He opened the fridge, then the freezer and saw something wrapped in a blanket on the top shelf,” Mr Harris said.
“He screamed in fright and demanded that his colleague arrest him [the mother].”
The inquest heard the mother appeared emotionless and asked police: “Why am I under arrest?” and “What's in the freezer?”
The inquest heard she appeared content to answer questions about her background and the baby in general, but stopped answering questions about the circumstances of KP's death.
The mother's DNA was found on the freezer handle
The investigation revealed that several items were seized, including the refrigerator and cans of baby food.
Detective Senior Constable Matthew Kelly told the inquest that despite an extensive search by police, they were unable to find any evidence that the man, who the mother claimed she had left KP at the time of his death, existed.
Detective Senior Constable Matthew Kelly also gave evidence at the inquest. (ABC News: Ashlee Aldridge)
Mr Kelly told the inquest the mother's DNA was found on the blanket in which the baby was found and only her DNA was found on the freezer handle.
The investigation found that the last evidence that KP was alive was seven days before his body was discovered and investigators suspect he died sometime within four days in 2022.
The coroner is expected to report her findings next year.
