Police are investigating the suspicious death of a five-year-old boy at a home in NSW‘s Northern Rivers region after officers allegedly uncovered a ‘house of horrors’.
The boy was found unresponsive inside his family’s Grafton home on Monday morning and could not be revived.
NSW Police have launched a major investigation into the child’s death after officers allegedly discovered he and his siblings had been duct-taped into sleeping bags and had tape placed over their eyes at night.
It is understood the boy, who had intellectual disabilities, was allegedly duct-taped around his head and officers were told it was to ‘assist him sleeping’.
The boy’s father and stepmother, who were inside the home at the time, have been interviewed by investigators. Any potential charges will be considered following a post-mortem examination to determine how the child died.
It is understood the boy’s siblings have since been moved to live with other family members.
Police sources quoted by the Daily Telegraph said officers had previously been called to the home in 2025 and raised concerns about what was happening there with NSW Department of Communities and Justice officials.
Officers allegedly found the boy duct taped into a sleeping bag and taped over his eyes (stock)
Grafton’s town centre as seen from under the bridge
Police are investigating the suspicious death of a five-year-old boy in Grafton, NSW
Homicide Squad and Child Abuse Squad detectives have joined local investigators at the crime scene as part of Strike Force Milona to oversee inquiries into how the boy died.
A NSW Police spokesperson told the Daily Mail that emergency services were called to the Grafton home at about 6.40am on Monday following reports a boy had been found unresponsive.
‘Officers attached to Coffs/Clarence Police District attended the scene and commenced CPR on the boy,’ the spokesperson said.
‘NSW Ambulance paramedics attended a short time later; however, were unable to revive the five-year-old.
‘A crime scene was established and inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the boy’s death are underway.’
The NSW Department of Communities and Justice is also investigating.
‘The Department of Communities and Justice is aware of the tragic death of a young child in Grafton. Our heartfelt condolences go out to those who knew and loved this child,’ a spokesperson said.
‘DCJ is working with NSW Police on their inquiries, and given the ongoing investigation, it would be inappropriate to comment further.’
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