Grandmother's heartache over Moama river death

May 31, 2021

A photo of a little boy sat on the bench in front of his grandmother as she told a coronial inquest into his death about how he was a “beautiful soul” and that her cries for help were not taken seriously enough.

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The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, tearfully read a statement from the family at the end of the coronial inquest into the death of her grandson, who was drowned by his mother in the Murray River at Moama in March 2017.

The boy’s grandmother told of a little boy who was “always so full of life” and who loved to play and would often pick flowers and take them inside.

“He was a very warm and cuddly little man who used to hug me when he came home from school and kiss me when he went to bed,” she said.

The boy’s mother was found not guilty of murder on mental health grounds, after a Supreme Court judge found she suffered from a series of psychiatric conditions and held a delusional belief that she had to drown her sons in order to protect them.

An eight-day inquest into the circumstances leading up to the child’s death was held at Deniliquin Coroner’s Court.

Among those to give evidence were police officers from NSW and Victoria, Family and Community Services workers and Murrumbidgee Local Health District representatives.

“I had nowhere to go to seek the help I needed,” the grandmother said in her statement that ended the coronial inquest proceedings.

“This case is sickening and it’s gut-wrenching to know so much more could have been done,” she said.

“They were innocent little souls who didn’t know their mum was unwell … that’s why all the agencies needed to protect them.

“I live with the terrible event of my grandson’s death every day.

“He was a beautiful soul. Forever innocent and forever vulnerable. I tried to protect him but he never had the chance to grow up.”

The grandmother also spoke of the little boy’s older brother, who their mother also tried to drown that day, who still has nightmares and does not like leaving home.

“His life is completely damaged by what happened,” she said.

“When I look at his suffering face I realise we are forever changed.”

The grandmother thanked the coroner for looking into the death of the little boy.

“When my grandsons were taken from me (by their mother the day before the younger boy’s death) I had few places to go for help, and they didn’t help.

“I hope another tragedy like this can be avoided.”