The mother of a four-year-old boy has been charged with murder more than two years after he died.
Key points:
- A 46-year-old mother has been arrested and charged with murder over the death of her 4-year-old son
- It was reported to police that Tarrin-Macen O'Sullivan had drowned in a residential pool at Munbura in August 2021
- Evidence now suggests Tarrin-Macen did not drown
Emergency services were called to a home in Munbura, south of Mackay, on August 29, 2021and found Tarrin-Macen O'Sullivan naked and deceased in a backyard pool.
It was initially reported that the child had drowned, but police will allege Tarrin-Macen was dead before he hit the water.
Detective Superintendent Darrin Shadlow said it was alleged the child died earlier that day and the mother was the only person home at the time.
He said police had ruled out weapons being involved in the death.
Tara Richardson, 46, was arrested from an address in Mackay earlier this morning and charged with murder in a domestic violence setting and interfering with a corpse.
She appeared in the Mackay Magistrates Court today where the matter was adjourned until March 13, 2024.
There was no bail application and she was remanded in custody.
Complex investigation
Detective Superintendent Shadlow said the investigation had been complex and commended emergency services, the Mackay CPIU investigators and the Child Trauma Unit in Brisbane.
"It is obviously a very difficult investigation to conduct, the investigation into a child's death is something that is extremely challenging for all police, for investigators and for the families as well," he said.
Tarrin-Macen's father, who did not reside with the child, was told of the arrest this morning.
Detective Shadlow said the father was distressed and distraught, but hoped this could bring some closure for him.