Childcare worker's 'monstrous' assaults on infants captured on CCTV expose gap in national regulation

Four Corners reveals 80 attacks at Cape York centre; NPA chair's account of reporting contradicted by police

By LineZotpaper AI staff

Published25 October 2026

Read Time3 min

A Four Corners investigation has obtained CCTV footage showing childcare worker Edwina Ling committing more than 80 physical assaults on children at the Injinoo Childcare Centre on Cape York in 2024. Ling was sentenced in June to four years in prison on 80 counts of common assault and two counts of assault occasioning bodily harm. The case has exposed a gap in oversight: Injinoo is one of 473 Australian childcare services operating outside the National Quality Framework, and questions are being asked about why earlier warnings by staff were ignored.

A Four Corners investigation has obtained CCTV footage showing Edwina Ling's attacks on children at the Injinoo Childcare Centre on Queensland's Cape York. Ling subjected children at the centre to more than 80 physical assaults in 2024. District Court Judge Dean Morzone KC described her offending as 'monstrous, cruel and sadistic' and 'a gross breach of trust.' Ling pleaded guilty to 80 counts of common assault and two counts of assault occasioning bodily harm and was sentenced in June to four years in prison, with a non-parole period of 12 months.

Injinoo is run by NPA Family and Community Services and operates outside the National Quality Framework that applies to most Australian childcare services. The report found 473 services across Australia operate under different regulatory arrangements.

There were earlier warnings. Former educator Lena Baragud said she saw Ling yanking children and refusing food to a hungry child, and reported her but management took no action. Brancis Tamwoy-Mookaa, who filled in as director, became concerned and left a note asking management to check the baby room CCTV.

NPA chair Ugari Nona told Four Corners the organisation acted swiftly, notifying police, parents and the regulator the moment the abuse was discovered. 'We told the police the moment we found out what's happened,' she said. However, Queensland Police told Four Corners the investigation was triggered by a report from a member of the public on September 13, not by NPA.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

The abuse occurred in a service outside the National Quality Framework, highlighting a gap in oversight for nearly 500 Australian childcare providers.
The parents' campaign for reform could place pressure on governments to close that gap and ensure uniform safety standards.
The case also raises serious questions about how operators and regulators respond to staff complaints about worker conduct.

Background

The Injinoo Childcare Centre on the tip of Cape York is operated by NPA Family and Community Services, an Indigenous-controlled organisation. It is one of 473 services not covered by the National Quality Framework. Edwina Ling was initially employed as a cleaner and cook before being moved to the baby room in July 2024 without having completed basic childcare qualifications. The assaults took place over three days in late August and early September 2024.

Key Perspectives

Parents of the 13-month-old victim: Want the public to see the footage to drive reform and question why NPA and the regulators are not held accountable. 'Why should this level or standard be allowed in a remote place?' the mother asks. Ugari Nona, chair of NPA: Insists the organisation acted swiftly, notifying police, parents and the regulator immediately. 'We told the police the moment we found out what's happened,' she told Four Corners. Queensland Police: Told Four Corners the report that triggered the investigation was made on September 13 by a member of the public, not by NPA, contradicting Nona's account. Lena Baragud, former educator: Says she reported Ling's roughness with children, including yanking them and refusing food, but management took no action. 'She was horrible. She was a monster.'

What to Watch

Any further investigation or regulatory consequences for NPA over the discrepancy in the reporting timeline.
Government response to calls for the 473 services outside the NQF to be brought under national oversight.
Potential civil legal action by the families or broader public inquiry.

Sources

Childcare worker's 'monstrous' assaults on kids captured on CCTV · ABC News

Checked

11 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 7 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedJudge Dean Morzone KC described Ling’s offending as “monstrous, cruel and sadistic” and “a gross breach of trust.”Just In: “District Court Judge Dean Morzone KC described her offending as “monstrous, cruel and sadistic” and “a gross breach of trust”.”
SupportedUgari Nona said, “We told the police the moment we found out what's happened.”Just In: ““We told the police the moment we found out what’s happened. Before we spoke to Edwina, before we spoke to the parents, she says.””
Partly supportedThe headline characterises the assaults as assaults on infants.Just In: “Over three days, behind the doors of a small childcare centre on the remote tip of Cape York in Far North Queensland, three little boys were subjected to shocking physical abuse. ... the youngest victim, who was just 13-months-old”
Partly supportedThe summary says Four Corners revealed 80 attacks at the centre.Just In: “More than 80 assaults took place over three days in late August and early September 2024, all captured on camera.”
SupportedFour Corners obtained CCTV showing more than 80 physical assaults on children at the Injinoo centre in 2024.Just In: “More than 80 assaults took place over three days in late August and early September 2024, all captured on camera. ... Four Corners has obtained the CCTV footage”
SupportedPolice contradicted NPA chair Ugari Nona’s account of who reported the abuse.Just In: “Queensland Police said NPA did not make the report that triggered their investigation. It was made on September 13 by a member of the public.”
SupportedLing pleaded guilty to 80 counts of common assault and two counts of assault occasioning bodily harm, and was sentenced in June to four years in prison.Just In: “In June this year, Ling was sentenced after pleading guilty to 80 counts of common assault and two counts of assault occasioning bodily harm.”
SupportedInjinoo is one of 473 Australian childcare services outside the National Quality Framework.Just In: “Four Corners can reveal 473 childcare services across Australia operate under regulatory arrangements outside the national system. ... Injinoo was regulated under a separate Queensland law.”
Partly supportedFormer educator Lena Baragud reported Ling, but management took no action.Just In: “Baragud says she saw Ling being rough with children, including yanking them by the arms and legs, and refusing some of them food when they were hungry. ... She says management was aware that Ling had problems with her colleagues, but nothing happened.”
Partly supportedThe story says questions are being asked about why earlier staff warnings were ignored.Just In: “The little boy’s parents had no idea about the horrors that were being inflicted on their son, but there were warning signs, which were not acted on.”
SupportedNona said NPA acted swiftly, notifying police, parents and the regulator once the abuse was discovered.Just In: “Ugari Nona insists NPA acted swiftly once the abuse was discovered, notifying parents, police and the regulator.”