Father of toddler allegedly killed by his mother’s boyfriend shares how he was initially told the boy was injured during an accident while playing with other kids
- A man, 33, has been charged with the murder of Brisbane toddler
- Jaylen died January 8 following incident at a Burpengary property December 30
- His mother, Savannah-Rose Wilson, and partner were at the property at the time
The father of a toddler who was allegedly killed by his mother’s boyfriend has spoken out about the tragedy, revealing he was initially told the young boy was injured in an accident.
Jaylen Priest died in hospital last month under suspicious circumstances after being found in a critical condition by paramedics at a home on Staten Street in Burpengary, near Brisbane on December 30, 2021.
Emergency crews had been called to the home in relation to the medical welfare of a child.
The 16-month-old’s biological father Brayden Priest was leaving work when he received the call about Jaylen being taken to hospital.
He said he had been told his son was injured during an accident while playing with other children, the Courier Mail reported.
A 33-year-old man has been arrested and charged for the domestic violence murder of 16-month-old Jaylen
Police were called to a home in north Brisbane on December 30 and Jaylen was rushed to Queensland Children’s hospital
He was devastated to learn of the murder charge.
‘I was hoping that it was like an accident caused by the kids or something, just something like that, something accidental. I could’ve coped with that,’ he said.
‘All the things you try to tell yourself in your head, that it didn’t happen, it couldn’t happen. And then when this s*** happens, it makes it all real.’
Jaylen’s cause of death is not yet known. An investigation into the boy’s death was launched on Wednesday.
Jaylen’s mother Savannah-Rose Wilson and her partner were at the property and made the triple zero call
Jaylen was reportedly treated in the Queensland Children’s Hospital’s (above) ICU until he died on January 8
Later that day Aaron Harley James was arrested.
James, 33, who is dating the boy’s mother, Savannah-Rose Wilson, has been charged with murder.
The matter was mentioned in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Thursday. James was remanded in custody for mention on March 28.
There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing on Ms Wilson’s part.
Detective Senior Sergeant Joe Zitny described the Jaylen’s death as ‘tragic’ and said several adults and children were on the property when emergency services arrived.
‘I understand the paramedics attended there, they were met by a number of people at the house,’ he said.
‘That young one deteriorated en route to the hospital.’
Detectives from the Petrie child protection unit arrested the man on Wednesday on a murder charge
Detective Senior Sergeant Joe Zitny described the Jaylen’s death as ‘tragic’ and said several adults and children were on the property when emergency services arrived
Police have urged anyone with knowledge of ‘suspicious activity or concerning behaviour’ related to Jaylen’s death to come forward
Advertisement
