Charleville: Toddler’s rescue from suspected murder-suicide at rural property
The mayor of a outback town has urged compassion and privacy as police reveal how officers broke cover in a siege to rescue a toddler from a family tragedy.
A toddler who survived her parents’ suspected murder-suicide in a tiny outback town is in the care of child protection after police risked their lives to rescue her during a seven-hour siege.
Police said the 18‑month‑old girl’s life had “changed in an instant, forever” after her parents were found dead inside a bloodied home in Charleville, in Queensland’s remote south-west.
The horrific incident has devastated the town and shattered the families and friends of those killed.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“Our thoughts must go out to them first and foremost today, from all of us within the emergency services community, but also from the community of Charleville,” Assistant Commissioner Matthew Vanderbyl told Nine’s Today show on Friday.
Police were called to the home about 5.30pm on Wednesday after other emergency services raised the alarm over a serious assault.
Mr Vanderbyl said officers were confronted with a “very confronting and quite horrific scene” when they entered the home.
Soon after, they were warned a person in the house might have had a firearm and had allegedly made threats towards police.
Police tactically withdrew and tried to contain the situation, with specialist officers and negotiators brought in as an emergency declaration locked down several streets.
As police pulled back to cover outside the house, the toddler covered in blood suddenly appeared at the front door.
“An 18‑month little girl, had walked out towards the front door, was clearly in distress, and one of our police broke from cover, as I understand it, to actually go and rescue that little girl and take her to safety,” Mr Vanderbyl said.
He said officers had risked their lives, not knowing where the alleged gunman was located.
“I’m pleased to say that she is safe and well, and other than a minor scratch to her body, she is otherwise okay,” Mr Vanderbyl said.
“But your heart just sinks for that poor little toddler.”
Child Safety officers were working with relatives and other agencies to secure her immediate and long‑term future.
“Her life has changed in an instant, forever, as have the lives of many others from these tragic, tragic events,” Mr Vanderbyl said.
He said the broader community was also reeling in the remote town about 600km west of Toowoomba.
Police have said the deaths are being treated as a murder‑suicide.
Murweh Shire Mayor Shaun “Zoro” Radnedge said the community was devastated.
“Charleville is strong because of the people that live in our community, and I ask all of us that we stick together and look after each other,” he said.
