Baby found in freezer was photographed with occult imagery
THE mother of a baby found dead in a freezer published a doctored photo of him on social media, containing graphic satanic symbols, just weeks before the tragedy was uncovered.
Three-month-old Kevin Patten was found dead, wrapped in a blanket and plastic on Wednesday at the NSW town of Corowa, 60km from Albury-Wodonga.
NSW homicide detectives continue to probe the death as part of Strike Force Walumil, a specialist task-force set up to investigate the homicide.
The boy’s mother Kylie Patten, 40, was questioned by detectives on Wednesday night but was released without charge.
Just a fortnight ago, Ms Patten posted a photo of baby Kevin online, adorned with disturbing imagery.
The Mercury has chosen not to publish the image, which features a black and white cow skull, a blowfly, two satanic skulls and a pentagram.
The Mercury is not suggesting Ms Patten’s use of occult symbols implicates her in any wrongdoing surrounding the death of her son. The disturbing image was among many other posts about her newborn son.
On January 6 she posted photos of her son dressed in a jumpsuit with the caption: “proud, looked so damn well … love you.”
In the days after Kevin’s birth she said: “Mummy loves you to the stars n (sic) all the way back to earth.”
Ms Patten is the daughter of well-known Corowa shopkeepers Sue and Wayne Patten.
Their White’s Stop N Shop business on Sanger St was closed on Friday with a note on the door saying: “Sorry we are not open due to family matters.”
The pair had previously commented online about their “precious” grandson.
Local traders said they were shocked to hear of the news.
“The whole town is behind Sue and Wayne,” one trader said. “People want answers.”
On Friday the single-storey property was an active crime scene. NSW police are yet to determine how and when the boy died and will await the results of an autopsy.