Father who drowned son could be free by Christmas
A father who killed his baby son by cradling him and jumping into the Logan River could be free in time for Christmas.
David Fisher was high on drugs when he drowned baby Elijah in 2012.
He has been sentenced to more than seven years in jail but could be released on parole within weeks.
Elijah Fisher was wrapped in his father’s arms when he plunged into the Logan River.
In June 2012, Fisher took his son out for a walk to soothe the teething six month old.
When he returned home he was wet, hysterical and alone.
At the Supreme Court in Brisbane today Fisher pleaded guilty to unlawfully killing Elijah.
The prosecutor said the 42-year-old made a “calculated decision to jump into the river” from a pedestrian bridge.
The court heard he and his wife had an alternative lifestyle and lived in a shed with the baby.
He had been high on drugs while battling mental illness.
“He was clearly suffering from a severe psychosis at the time … and delusional,” his defence barrister said.
The court heard that when Fisher surfaced in the river he could see Elijah and deliberately pushed the six month old away.
“My son is deeply sorry, as are we all,” Fisher’s mother said. She was at court for his sentencing.
“He’s in deep grief as we all are.
“I think that people with a mental illness need all the support and the kindness that can be given to them.”
Fisher was sentenced to seven and a half years in jail but could be released on parole just before Christmas because of time already served.
In court he said: “I’m truly remorseful and I cry every night for my baby boy.”
He has been divorced by his wife, and forgiven.
She had been blogging about Elijah, noting a milestone just a week before his death.
“Elijah loves the opportunity to try out his new crawling skills,” she said.
News break – November 2
