Parents of a 4-year-old girl were arrested after the child was found dead and partially eaten by rats.
Little Willow Dunn was a bright and cheerful girl with Down Syndrome who was found dead in an “extremely confronting” condition at her parents’ home in Brisbane, UK.
Following the disturbing finding, the police arrested the child’s father, Mark James Dunn, and stepmother, Shannon Leigh White, who have since been charged with murder.
As the court heard, Willow had developed major pressure sores as a result of not moving and not being moved enough in the days or weeks prior to her death.
“If a child is able to move even a little bit and change the position this will immediately improve the circulation or blood flow through this area and slow down or reverse those changes,” forensic pathologist Dr Andrew Kedziora explained.
“So the fact that these pressure sores are present and they are so deep shows that for quite a while the child did not move at all.”
Furthermore, Senior Constable Andrew Kitas confirmed that the officers responding to the family’s home were told by paramedics that the 4-year-old’s face appeared to be partially eaten by rats following her death.
While it is not clear exactly how long the starved child was left alone before and after her death, it was suggested that the girl likely died around two days before her body was discovered by the authorities.
As Dr Kedziora also revealed, evidence suggests that the neglected child was probably subjected to nutritional deficiencies and chronic dehydration over time.
Both Dunn and White remain in custody as they face one count of child cruelty and one count of murder each.
What are your thoughts on this matter? Let us know in the comments and don’t forget to SHARE this post with your family and friends. For more news and stories, follow us on Facebook!
Recommended Video For You!
Man With Down Syndrome Approaches Brother On Guard, But The Sudden Reaction Sends Him Running