Emotional twist in investigation of baby Beau’s death Dad on murder charge

THE father of Mackay baby Beau Bradshaw has been charged over the boy’s death following a complex investigation in which police received “significant assistance” from the Department of Child Safety and Queensland Health.

Police arrested a 24-yearold man at an East Mackay home yesterday, more than two months after his sixmonth-old son was found unresponsive in the home on June 2. The baby died in Townsville Hospital on June 4.

The man was charged with murder and grievous bodily harm after being taken into custody about 2pm and taken to Mackay police station.

Detective Acting Inspector Mick Searle yesterday confirmed the man arrested was Beau’s father.

Ayden Bradshaw has been to be charged with one count each of murder and grievous bodily harm and will appear in court today.

Acting Inspector Searle said the charges were the result of a “quite detailed, thorough and at times difficult” investigation involving several specialist police units and Queensland Health experts.

“We will be alleging Beau suffered traumatic brain injury and other internal injuries, hence the murder charge and the grievous bodily harm charge,” he said.

“I would like to acknowledge the work of detectives from the Mackay Child Protection Investigation Unit and the very substantial and detailed assistance we received from the Child Trauma Unit from our State Crime Command and the significant assistance from Queensland Health and the Department of Child Safety.

“The detectives who led this operation are in the room with me today and have done a fine job to date.”

Acting Inspector Searle said detectives acted on information from the government bodies and the public, which allowed investigators to map out a timeline in regard to Beau’s condition.

“We know Beau was well at the beach early in the day and we know that early that afternoon the ambulance was called to his house,” he said.

“Without going into express details of what has occurred between then, it has allowed us to know when Beau was last a healthy baby and fill in that time insofar as to what has occurred to the point he has had to be taken to hospital.”

Acting Inspector Searle said investigators had remained in contact with Beau’s family since he was found at his East Mackay home on June 2. “They’ve gone through a very traumatic experience dating right back to June 2,”

Acting Inspector Searle said. “It’s very difficult to imagine the trauma that family has gone through. Understandably they’re very upset.”

Beau was taken to Mackay Base Hospital the afternoon of June 2 and that night was flown to Townsville Hospital, where he died on June 4.

It is understood Beau suffered bleeding on the brain and was declared brain dead, with his organs donated.

On June 20, Mackay detectives declared that Beau’s death was being treated as suspicious.