NATION Slaying of boy ‘bad as it gets‘

A FIVE-YEAR-OLD boy has died after being stabbed in what police allege was a domestic incident in Sydney yesterday morning.

The boy died shortly after arriving at the Children’s Hospital in Westmead with stab wounds.

Superintendent Robert Critchlow said the “horrible and brutal” incident was as “bad as it gets”.

“At this stage we believe that charges may follow,” he said yesterday morning. “What’s very, very clear is that it’s been a horrible and brutal crime against a very young, defenceless boy, which requires a complete investigation, and the matter will go before the courts in due course.

“The level of violence is horrendous. It goes without saying that the fact that a young boy has died from being injured in his home, it’s probably about as bad as it gets, really.”

Police were called to a home in Carlingford, in Sydney’s northwest, about 7am after reports of a dispute.

The child’s mother, who was not at the home when the attack happened, is being supported by medical professionals at the hospital where her son died.

The boy and his grandmother had fled the scene and gone to nearby Moseley St to get help and raise the alarm.

Supt Critchlow said the grandmother’s actions were “heroic”.

“She’s behaved in a heroic and caring manner, as you would imagine a grandmother would,” Supt Critchlow said.

Neighbour Mack Lin said he was asleep at the time but was shocked when he found out what happened.

He said his niece stayed with him weekly and there were plenty of kids in the neighbourhood.

“It’s so crazy,” he said. “On the weekend there’s kids playing,

WHAT’S VERY, VERY CLEAR IS THAT IT’S BEEN A HORRIBLE AND BRUTAL CRIME AGAINST A VERY YOUNG, DEFENCELESS BOY OFFICER ROBERT CRITCHLOW

you’ve got people walking their dogs, walking prams, it’s a safe area as far as I’m aware.”

The boy was taken to the Children’s Hospital by ambulance and a police escort.

A staff member at the hospital said the boy died just 20 minutes after he arrived in a critical condition.

A 36-year-old man was arrested by police and was in custody yesterday.

He is understood to be known to the boy.

The boy’s grandmother, 60, was treated for shock at the scene, while the boy’s mother is still recovering at Westmead Hospital.

Inquiries are continuing.