UPDATE: A 42-year-old man has been charged with manslaughter following the tragic drowning of a seven-month-old baby at a popular campsite near Gympie, Queensland. This shocking incident unfolded at Chatsworth Park, where the child was found unresponsive in a lake by his mother early Saturday morning.
Authorities confirmed that the baby was discovered in the water just hours after camping with his family on Friday night. The boy’s mother, still reeling from the incident, called emergency services as soon as she made the heartbreaking discovery. Bystanders attempted CPR before the infant was rushed to the hospital, but tragically, he was declared dead later that night.
Detectives are probing the circumstances surrounding how the child ended up in the water. Detective Inspector Craig Mansfield stated, “The mother of the child did retrieve this child from the water. It’s been a very traumatic experience for her clearly.” As of Monday, the mother has not been able to clarify the events that led to the drowning.
In a swift response, homicide detectives initiated an investigation, leading to the arrest of the man on Tuesday in Bundamba, located more than 200 km south of the campsite. He has been charged with domestic violence-related manslaughter and is scheduled to appear in Ipswich Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
The emotional toll of this incident has reverberated throughout the community, raising urgent questions about safety at campsites and the responsibilities of guardians. As the investigation continues, the family and friends of the deceased child are left to grapple with this devastating loss.
This developing story will be updated as more information becomes available.
