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Man charged with murder after 5-year-old Indigenous boy 'known to him' dies painful death due to torture

The boy was first taken to Yarrabah Hospital, near Cairns, on Friday, and was later airlifted to Townsville hospital with life-threatening injuries

BY DEEPAK KUMAR

PUBLISHED AUG 24, 2022

The man was taken into custody and is set to appear in Cairns Magistrates Court on Wednesday, August 24 (Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

CAIRNS, QUEENSLAND: A five-year-old boy from an Indigenous community died of his injuries, and a man was arrested in relation to this alleged murder and has been charged with torturing and murdering the boy from far north Queensland. The boy battled for his life for five days but ultimately died on Monday, August 22, in Townsville hospital despite the constant efforts from the doctors.

The boy was initially taken to Yarrabah Hospital, near Cairns, on Friday, and was later airlifted to Townsville hospital with life-threatening injuries. Child Trauma Unit in Brisbane started probing how the boy was injured after being tipped about his transfer to Townsville. They soon arrested and charged a 24-year-old man with murder, grievous bodily harm, and torture, who apparently knew the boy. The man is also facing two counts each of assault occasioning bodily harm whilst armed and assault occasioning bodily harm. He was taken into custody and is set to appear in Cairns Magistrates Court on Wednesday, August 24, as per The Guardian.

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A police cordon surrounds the scene of a house fire in Sycamore Lane, Stafford, which claimed the lives of four children yesterday, on February 06, 2019 in Stafford, England. Police have named the four children who died as Keegan Unitt, aged 6, Tilly Unitt, 4, Olly Unitt, 3, and their older brother Riley Holt, 8. Two adults and another child are being treated in hospital. — Child Trauma Unit in Brisbane started probing how the boy was injured after being tipped about his transfer to Townsville (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Vulnerable Indigenous community

The Indigenous community seems to be severely vulnerable at this moment as more and more deaths are being reported and this could once again stir up the pot of restlessness in the society. In a similar incident, three young Indigenous women in Queensland died due to their medical conditions and improper care. One victim, Betty, went for medical attention after suffering from a cough, fever, and vomiting. However, she was given paracetamol and sent back. It is alleged that she did not receive proper medical care. She was once again turned away with painkillers and she was dead within a month. As per NIT, The racism in the health system was exposed Queensland Health spokesperson said, "Every change we implement must close the gap and work to reduce inequality, which is why we are introducing our inaugural First Nations Health Equity Strategies."

Members of the Glen Dancers and Maori Haka perform during the Coloured Digger March to honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander servicemen and servicewomen on Anzac Day on April 25, 2022 in Sydney, Australia. Anzac day is a national holiday in Australia, traditionally marked by a dawn service held during the time of the original Gallipoli landing and commemorated with ceremonies and parades throughout the day. Anzac Day commemorates the day the Australian and New Zealand Army Corp (ANZAC) landed on the shores of Gallipoli on April 25, 1915, during World War 1. — Members of the Glen Dancers and Maori Haka perform during the Coloured Digger March to honor Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander servicemen and servicewomen on Anzac Day on April 25, 2022, in Sydney, Australia (Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

Kaya and Ms Sandy, the other two victims of the flawed system, faced similar experiences before their deaths in the same year. The spokesperson continued, "The strategies are being designed in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to increase access to culturally safe care, eliminate racism and improve the delivery of local health services state-wide. Queensland Health is working with North West HHS to implement actions from its reviews into the care provided to (Betty, Kaya, and Ms Sandy)"