New revelations about the lead up to NSW toddler William Tyrrell's disappearance
The grandmother of missing NSW child William Tyrrell has spoken out about her fight to save her son, revealing new details about one of the most baffling missing person's cases the state has ever seen.
Natalie Collins has revealed what happened in the lead up to William's disappearance on September 12, 2014 as he played on the porch of the house on Benaroon Drive, Kendall as his foster mother and grandmother watched on.
Speaking with news.com.au, Ms Collins said it was a last-minute change to William's plans that placed him at the house where he would later be abducted from. William and another sibling were taken out of childcare for a "surprise visit", she said.
The then three-year-old was last seen wearing his Spiderman costume - an outfit which later became symbolic of his disappearance.
On Friday, Ms Collins revealed she "hated" the costume because William had been "bought better outfits" by her son Brendan Collins - William's biological father.
Revealed: Missing William Tyrrell was in foster care at time of disappearance
their home Biological father of missing William Tyrrell publicly identified
Ms Collins said she is speaking out to hopefully help her son Brendan, who has struggled since his son's disappearance.
He is currently in Silverwater Prison awaiting sentencing on minor charges, “but he’s not getting the treatment he needs,” she said.
It was also revealed that Brendan and William's biological mother Karlie Tyrrell no longer associate with each other because it's too difficult.
An order by the Department of Family and Community Services (FACS) to remove William from the couple's care “wasn’t because Brendan was taking drugs or drinking, he wasn’t", Ms Collins said.
After hiding out in a granny flat for three months, the trio were discovered and William was taken into foster care.
"I’d given them bond money to hide out for three months and then they were caught and told me they were taking William away. He [Brendan] died that day," Ms Collins said.
Other information about the family history can not be revealed due to child protection laws. The police investigation into William's disappearance has ruled out the involvement of both of his biological parents.
The details of William's time in foster care were only revealed late last year after the NSW Supreme Court overruled FACS and ordered William’s family history could be published.
His foster parents have asked not to be named to protect the identity of William's siblings. Ms Collins labelled them "strict".
“Karlie and Brendan could see William for one hour every seven or eight weeks at the Macquarie Centre,” she said. "The last time they saw him, William yelled ‘Daddy, Daddy, Daddy’ and jumped out of the pram like a kangaroo."
Ms Collins is asking authorities to provide Brendan with the help he needs to return to "his normal self".
“I’m fighting for my grandson and now I’m fighting for my son," she said.
Anyone with information about William Tyrrell’s whereabouts can contact Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.