Sinister twist in four-year-old Queensland boy's death
Police are probing the death of a young boy who was initially thought to have drowned earlier this year.
In a statement on Wednesday, Queensland Police said investigations are underway surrounding the suspicious death of a four-year-old boy on August 29 at Munburra, near Sarina.
At the time, the incident was reported to police as a suspected drowning in a residential pool.
"A post-mortem and scientific examination has now indicated the cause of death was inconsistent with drowning," Queensland Police said.
"As such, police have commenced a homicide investigation codenamed 'Operation Tango Anise'.
"The circumstances surrounding how and why the child was located in the pool remain under investigation at this time."
According to the Daily Mercury, the four-year-old boy was unresponsive when he was pulled from the pool back in August and later died in hospital.
The investigation will be headed up by Mackay Detectives from the Child Protection Investigation Unit’s (CPIU) State Child Trauma Unit.
Detective Inspector Tom Armitt told the media the boy lived with his mother and the family had been cooperative with police.
"We're dealing with the death of a four-year-old boy and obviously a small child ... relies heavily on the care of other people," he said on Thursday.
"His death is treated with the upmost seriousness of any other homicide that we would be conducting."
While the cause of death is unknown, however Det Inso Armitt said police believe he was deceased before being placed or entering the pool.
The circumstances of "how and why" the boy was found in the pool is under investigation.
Anyone with information which may assist with the investigation is urged to contact the police.
With AAP
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting or call 131 444.
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