Inquest into the Death of Child WK (Name Subject to Suppression Order)
Inquest into the Death of Child WK (Name Subject to Suppression Order)
Delivered on : 5 November 2025
Delivered at : Perth
Finding of : Acting State Coroner Linton
Recommendations : N/A
Orders/Rules : N/A
Suppression Order :
Suppression of the deceased’s name, the deceased’s siblings and other family members from publication and any evidence likely to lead to their identification. The deceased is to be referred to as Child WK.
Summary : The deceased was an eight month old child who was one of four siblings in the care of the Department of Communities. He had been discharged from the Carnarvon hospital emergency department three days prior to his death with an ear infection and a course of antibiotics
Child WK was born in January of 2022 and not long thereafter was placed in the custody his maternal grandmother in Carnarvon, with a long term plan of reunifying Child WK with his mother WJ. WJ had been an involuntary patient under the Mental Health Act with drug induced psychosis and a struggling methylamphetamine addiction when she became aware she was pregnant with Child WK. It was at that time that it was decided the newborn baby would be put into Provisional Care and Protection and placed with his maternal grandmother.
Not long after the birth of Child WK, WJ began spending time with Child WK and ultimately began living with her mother and Child WK. In May of 2022 WJ began an inhouse treatment programme for substance addiction at Cyrenian House in Perth. The Department of Communities consented to Child WK and one other child to reside with her at Cyrenian House whilst in treatment. After nearly five months at Cyrenian House WJ left the programme early. Communities were notified and a safety plan was devised for her to leave Cyrenian House with Child WK, and one other child, and reside together in Carnarvon. It was believed that WJ was doing well after leaving the programme and Child WK was well and happy. Communities were content with the way the family dynamic was developing and no concerns were raised. In fact, Communities provided a letter of support to the Housing division with the hope that the family would obtain a house of their own. Communities had no further dealing with the family prior to the sudden death of Child WK.
On or about 30 or 31 August 2022 Child WK became unwell with high fevers. Thermometer readings gave recordings of 38.4ËšC. WJ gave him children’s Panadol and Nurofen and made sure Child WK rested. She called Healthdirect to seek advice on her concerns. The health advice was to continue with the children’s Panadol and Nurofen and call back if things got worse. The following day Child WK was still unwell and unsettled. He was crying and would not stop. WJ called Healthdirect again to explain there was no improvement. She was told to take Child WK to the hospital for medical review.
On the morning of 2 September 2022 WJ took Child WK to the Carnarvon Hospital Emergency Department and some 30 minutes thereafter he was seen by a doctor. Upon medical review the doctor noted no fever, his chest appeared clear with all vital observations coming up normal. The only abnormal finding was both eardrums were red. The doctor determined that Child WK was suffering from an uncomplicated inner ear infection, a common occurrence in small children. Antibiotics were not prescribed at this time and the treatment plan was for Child WK to be given Panadol and Nurofen. The doctor instructed that Child WK should return for review the following day if he was still unsettled, or to return within 48 hours if Child WK had not improved at all.
On the morning of 4 September 2022 Child WK presented again at the Carnarvon Hospital Emergency Department for a second time. Child WK was this time prescribed antibiotics and instructed to return the following day for further review. Later that night Child WK deteriorated. He was sweating, purple in colour and vomiting, at one point his breathing stopped. By 9.48pm WJ had raced Child WK back to the emergency department where he was immediately assessed as category 1 and rushed to the resuscitation bay. Despite all efforts of being given adrenaline, fluids, broad spectrum antibiotics, dextrose and CPR Child WK was certified life extinct at 10.36pm
At the conclusion of the mandatory Inquest the Acting State Coroner determined that Child WK’s death was unconnected to his social situation and although very tragic it was determined the death of Child WK was a natural event.
Catch Words : :Mandatory Inquest: Department of Communities: Medical care of hospital: Treatable infection
Last updated: 24 November 2025