Cruel mother and girlfriend who beat starving toddler with a 'coathanger' and forced him to eat noodles off the floor are jailed after another horrific case of child abuse in Queensland

  • A woman and her girlfriend have been jailed after toddler was badly abused 
  • Officers found a toddler eating off the floor covered with cuts and bruise
  • Judge Brad Farr found 'excessive force' was used by the two women
A toddler who was beaten and starved by his mother and her girlfriend was found with coathanger shaped bruises on his body when police rescued him.
The three-year-old was found with bruises on his scalp, head, neck, chest, abdomen, genitals, back, buttocks, arms and legs.    
His mother, 25 and her partner, 29 have been jailed over the 'vile and abhorrent' case of child abuse after appearing at the Brisbane District Court this week.
Child protection services in Queensland have been thrust into the spotlight amid a string of high profile abuse cases in recent weeks
When the authorities found the toddler he was eating noodles off the floor and was clearly malnourished. 
His mother, 25 and her partner, 29 have been jailed over the 'vile and abhorrent' case of child abuse after appearing at the Brisbane District Court this week
His mother, 25 and her partner, 29 have been jailed over the 'vile and abhorrent' case of child abuse after appearing at the Brisbane District Court this week
A neighbour became concerned after hearing the women arguing in the presence of a child who appeared scared.  
Crown prosecutor Rebecca Marks told the court the toddler had a 'wasted appearance' and was suffering from chronic malnutrition.
'He was sitting on the floor at the time (police arrived) eating a bowl of cold noodles, as well as eating off the floor,' Ms Marks said.
He was bruised and had abrasions and lacerations.
The shape of some bruises suggest a belt buckle, coathanger and 'other weapons' were used. 
At first the two women lied to police, claiming there were innocent explanations for his injuries, including claims that 'he bruised easily'.
The three-year-old was found with bruises on his scalp, head, neck, chest, abdomen, genitals, back, buttocks, arms and legs (stock image)
The three-year-old was found with bruises on his scalp, head, neck, chest, abdomen, genitals, back, buttocks, arms and legs (stock image)
However this was dismissed by Brisbane District Court Judge Brad Farr as 'self-serving nonsense'.
Prosecutor Marks condemned the couple for 'serious and heinous offending' considering their role as care-givers for the boy. 
'Those who are meant to protect him ultimately failed him when he was most vulnerable and needed their love, care and attention,' she told the court.
The toddler weighed only 13kg when he was found, and had not been seen a doctor for more than a year. 
This was despite both women and his two siblings having received bulk-billed medical attention during that time. 
Judge Brad Farr condemned the behaviour as 'vile, abhorrent, 'incomprehensible and shameful in the extreme.'
Judge Brad Farr condemned the behaviour as 'vile, abhorrent, 'incomprehensible and shameful in the extreme' at the sentencing at Brisbane District Court (pictured) on Friday
Judge Brad Farr condemned the behaviour as 'vile, abhorrent, 'incomprehensible and shameful in the extreme' at the sentencing at Brisbane District Court (pictured) on Friday  
A victim impact statement from child safety officers revealed the boy still hoarded food, consistent with him having been 'starving for a period of time'.
It found the abuse had resulted in him suffering developmental delays and hindered speech resulting in him having to be held back from school for a year, reported the Courier Mail, 
Lawyers for the couple told the court that the had become heavy users of the drug ice at the time of offending.The court was told they had also both been badly bullied at school, including an incident where the boy's mother was pinned down by six girls who cut off her hair.   
The women, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to 18 counts of assault and one of child cruelty.
Judge Farr sentenced the couple to three and a half years jail. 
Queensland's Child Protection Services are facing increasing scrutiny amid a string of high profile child abuse reports in recent weeks.  
Two autistic boys, 17 and 19 were found starving and naked locked in a Brisbane home on May 27. Their 49-year-old father and carer was found dead in the next room
Two autistic boys, 17 and 19 were found starving and naked locked in a Brisbane home on May 27. Their 49-year-old father and carer was found dead in the next room
Two autistic boys, 17 and 19, were found starving and naked locked in a Brisbane home on May 27. Their 49-year-old father and carer was found dead in the next room.
In the same week the body of Willow Lee, a four year-old girl with Down Syndrome, was found decomposing at her home on June 1. Her face had been partially eaten by rats. 
Her father and stepmother have been charged with her murder.
While a four year-old girl with Down Syndrome, Willow Lee (pictured) was found malnourished and decomposing at her home on June 1, her face partially eaten by rats
While a four year-old girl with Down Syndrome, Willow Lee (pictured) was found malnourished and decomposing at her home on June 1, her face partially eaten by rats
A confidential report into the death of a 22-month-old boy Mason Jet lee, was also released this week, four years after the high-profile fatality.
The Child Death Case Review found there were 'many child protection concerns' about Mason's family life.
A coroner's ruling on June 2 found the Department of Child Safety had failed the child in 'nearly every possible way'. 
If you or anyone you know is experiencing trauma or abuse contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or 1800 RESPECT.
A confidential report into the death of a 22-month-old boy Mason Jet lee, was also released this week, four years after the high-profile fatality
A confidential report into the death of a 22-month-old boy Mason Jet lee, was also released this week, four years after the high-profile fatality

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