EXCLUSIVE
The devastated family of a girl feared murdered have spoken out after charges against the former X-Factor star accused of killing her were dropped.
Harper-Gaynor Morris was nine months old when she was found unconscious and died at a home in Binnaway, central western New South Wales, on July 23, 2018.
After a five-year police investigation, her former stepfather Mitchell David Callaway, 39, was arrested and charged with domestic violence-related murder in June 2023.
But almost 18 months after the court process began, prosecutors formally dropped the charge against Callaway in Dubbo Local Court on Thursday.
Hours later, a devastated family member spoke out to criticize the outcome.
‘Damn bulls***’, they wrote.
“Our sweet Harper, there is still no justice.”
Now, after the charge against Callaway was dropped, Daily Mail Australia can reveal that Callaway has a history of domestic violence.
Harper Gaynor-Morris (pictured) died in central western New South Wales in July 2018
Last week, prosecutors dropped a single murder charge against her former stepfather, Mitchell David Callaway, 39 (pictured), who was a former X Factor contestant.
In October 2018, just months after Harper’s death, her mother, whom Daily Mail Australia chose not to name, was granted an AVO against Callaway.
Under the two-year order, Callaway was prohibited from assaulting, threatening, stalking, harassing, intimidating or contacting Harper’s mother, and destroying any property belonging to her.
Two weeks later, Callaway was charged with violating the AVO. That charge was dismissed on the condition that he comply with a mental health treatment plan and consult an appropriate psychologist and psychiatrist.
In September of that year, Callaway was also found guilty of possession of an unauthorized firearm and shooting in or near a public place.
He was sentenced to a 12-month Community Corrections Order for firearms offences.
Over the course of the next four years, Callaway remained out of court until he was arrested at a house in Bowraville, on the North Coast hinterland, in June last year.
The development came after a forensic investigation between December 2022 and April 2023 found evidence linking Callaway to Harper’s death, leading police to execute a warrant on Binnaway in May 2023.
At the time of the arrest, Harper’s mother spoke out to say the development of the case was “the best news ever” after “all the years of pain, suffering and grief.”
Harper has been remembered by loved ones as the ‘definition of perfect baby’ and ‘the happiest.’
Callaway is pictured being arrested at a house in Bowraville, central western New South Wales, on June 8 last year.
“She has been the reason why I have continued fighting, living and getting this far,” the mother said in a statement.
‘Not a day goes by that I don’t miss you and wish you were here. This doesn’t bring you back but it does bring you some peace and the justice you deserve. Forever my little one.
“Mom loves you.”
Callaway had been caring for Harper when her mother came home and found her unconscious.
Paramedics took the girl to Coonabarabran Hospital, where she died a short time later.
Medical evidence presented to the court showed Harper had suffered significant head injuries, including a skull fracture.
However, the exact cause of Harper’s death and when he acquired his injuries are unknown.
Callaway’s attorney argued that there was no evidence linking his injuries to cardiac arrest and that the fractures could have occurred up to a week before his death.
The court also heard that Callaway had told Harper’s mother in November 2018 that he “didn’t mean to hurt her.”
However, Callaway’s lawyer argued that the alleged admission was “ambiguous” and that there was a “dispute about what was said.”
Callaway spent six months in custody before being granted bail in December 2018 on $600,000 surety.
Under those conditions, he had to live at his parents’ house in Bowraville, hand over his passport and comply with curfew.
The court previously heard that Callaway, who is currently in remission from cancer, had been subjected to abuse by locals following his release from prison.
The country singer competed on the third season of The X-Factor Australia in 2011, when he came seventh.
His season was won by then-teen star Reece Mastin.