The parents of a 10-year-old boy who took his own life in state care had to jump through “hoop after hoop” in their failed attempt to be reunited, an advocate says.
The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, died on Friday night in Perth while in the care of the Department of Communities.
WA Premier Roger Cook said the death was a tragedy and he would support accelerating the coronial inquest.
National Suicide Prevention and Trauma Recovery Project Director Megan Krakouer said the boy was removed from his parents’ care four days before Christmas 2020, when they were living in a tent.
She said they had created a stable home in the years since and were working with the department in an attempt to reunite their family, but it had not been supportive and judgmental.
The 10-year-old boy (pictured) was in the care of the WA Department of Communities.
“Their hearts are broken,” he said.
“They are good people, respectful people, loving people.”
Krakouer, who represents the parents, said they felt there had been a significant power imbalance and that the department had ignored them as they tried to reunite their family.
“They made them jump through hoop after hoop after hoop,” he said.
“Some of the words they used were ‘grooming’ and ‘manipulation’ and they also said… that they were belittling them.”
Krakouer said the first time the boy’s parents were allowed to see him as a couple since he was removed from their care was in a morgue.
He said the department had failed the family.
“Twenty-six case managers in four years and there wasn’t even a cultural safety plan,” she said.
Cook said the boy’s death was “very sad” and had left him “a reason to reflect.”
“It’s always horrible to see a child resort to what must be the most desperate act, which is taking their own life,” he said.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said the boy’s death was tragic and highlighted the difficulties faced by some Indigenous communities.
“(This) makes you wonder what more we can do to make sure we keep young people safe.”
The Department for Communities said it could not comment on individual cases.
“The death of any child or young person is a tragedy that has a devastating impact on the families, friends and communities involved,” a spokesperson said.
“Any death of a child in care automatically triggers a coroner’s inquest and we support all matters of this nature being investigated.”
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said it was “impossible not to be moved” by the boy’s death and that it was a “tragic circumstance”.
“It certainly speaks to the fact that we have enormous challenges ahead in relation to closing the gap,” he told ABC TV.
Indigenous Affairs Minister Linda Burney said the death was “shocking, heartbreaking and demands deep reflection.”
“My heart goes out to the WA family and community who have lost such a young son,” he posted on X.
Senator Lidia Thorpe called on the federal government to implement the recommendations of the 1997 Bringing Them Home report.
“Minister Burney and the Prime Minister are failing to protect First Nations children,” he said.
“They should be deeply ashamed by the news of this young man’s death.”
WA Liberal Leader Libby Mettam said the department was under-resourced and allegations the boy had 26 caseworkers in just over three years were disturbing.
“It is evident that this is a department in crisis,” he said.
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