Kids in crisis as abuse unchecked

WILLOW Dunn deserved better. So much better.

Instead, she is another victim of a broken system in a society that continues to fail its most vulnerable.

The innocent four-year-old was found decomposed in her Brisbane cot this week, with deep sores exposing her bones. Police also allege she was kept isolated from the world, starved and left to die.

Willow’s father, Mark

James Dunn, has been charged with the girl’s murder under the extension of the definition of the crime to include reckless indifference to human life.

Her stepmother, who lived in the house with her own children and allegedly told police that Willow was not her responsibility, has not been charged.

When the Bent St property quickly became a crime scene, neighbours were shocked.

They apparently didn’t know the child existed.

The panic alarm was also raised at the prestigious Cannon Hill Anglican College, whose primary campus fronts the same street, and within hours of police arriving at the scene, parents were assured their children were safe.

What a sad indictment little Willow Dunn was not safe. Did no one outside her family know about her?

It is understood the Department of Child Safety did, but Minister Di Farmer (pictured) has refused to confirm this as the Opposition slams the lack of transparency as a “cover-up”.

One thing we do know is the Government’s unforgivable record of stuff ups.

KYLIE LANG

As we reported earlier this year, 1554 kids were harmed within 12 months of welfare workers determining they were safe. Tragically, 58 known to the department died last financial year, according to the Queensland Family and Child Commission.

Ms Farmer takes her portfolio seriously and has admitted Child Safety is struggling to meet rising demand, despite the hiring of 600 staff and a $738 million government spend since 2015.

She acknowledges “there is still much to do”.

Agreed. The trouble is kids are falling through cracks that have become chasms.

Throwing money at the problem is simply not enough. There are questions that must urgently be asked – and comprehensively answered – about the allocation and effectiveness of resources.

How are staff deciding kids are safe, then leaving them in