Former foster carers say system failed baby girl who died days after being returned to biological parents

Rebecca and Michael, whose names have been changed for legal reasons, said they always knew they would be foster parents. “You either have that calling or you don’t,” Rebecca told the ABC. “It’s the hardest job, but we have to do it. We want to give them [children] some hope … where they get to feel safe.”

The baby came into their care as a newborn. Medical notes seen by the ABC recorded signs of “traumatic injury” including bruising. After weeks of care, Michael said things started to improve. “She became the happiest little baby, she just glowed,” he said. “You’d walk into a room, she’d look at you and her face would just light up.”

For six months, Mia was raised by the pair under an Interim Accommodation Order with Child Protection. She spent four hours, five days a week with her biological parents as part of supervised visitation. During that period, court dates aimed at determining future arrangements were constantly adjourned. The foster carers said the report they were waiting for was an investigation into her original injury, which was ultimately inconclusive.

The pair said the magistrate aimed to return the child to her biological parents. They were told that support services Child and Family Services (CAFS) and the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) told the court they were uncomfortable with that approach. “So the outcome of that was they couldn’t reach an agreement … so they had to make a compromise,” Rebecca said.

The court ordered a third party, Tweddle — a statewide Early Parenting Centre — to provide a residential assessment of the biological parents. This involved two rounds of a 10-day parenting course. The ABC understands both parents were approved.

Three days after Mia was returned to her biological parents, emergency services were called to their Ballarat home and found the eight-month-old unresponsive. CPR was administered before she was taken to a local hospital on September 20, then transferred to a Melbourne hospital where she died on September 22. Victoria Police said it would not comment on an active investigation.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The case raises urgent questions about the adequacy of child protection assessments and whether parental reunification decisions prioritise speed over safety.
The timeline — death occurring just three days after return — will likely prompt scrutiny of the Tweddle parenting assessment process and the weight given to inconclusive injury investigations.
The foster carers' account highlights the emotional toll on carers who form deep attachments and then lose children with little say in court-ordered decisions.

Background

Child protection systems across Australia balance the goal of family reunification with the imperative to protect children from harm. In Victoria, the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) oversees child protection, while courts make final decisions about placement. Interim Accommodation Orders are common while investigations continue. Residential parenting assessments like those provided by Tweddle are used to evaluate whether parents can safely care for a child after a history of concern. The system has faced repeated criticism for delays, under-resourcing, and tragic outcomes that often emerge only after a child dies.

Key Perspectives

Former foster carers: Rebecca and Michael argue the system failed Mia by returning her to an environment where she had previously suffered injuries. They felt powerless as court dates were repeatedly adjourned and a magistrate pushed for reunification despite objections from child protection workers. Court and legal system: The magistrate, operating on available evidence, sought to reunite the family. The inconclusive injury report and positive Tweddle assessment likely influenced the decision to order return. Child protection agencies (CAFS/DFFH): According to the foster carers, these agencies expressed discomfort with reunification but could not prevent the compromise outcome ordered by the court. Biological parents: No statement from them is available. They had completed a court-ordered parenting program and been assessed as capable. They now face a police investigation into their baby's death.

What to Watch

Victoria Police investigation: whether charges are laid and the cause of death determined.
Potential coronial inquest: likely to examine the decision-making process, the role of the inconclusive injury report, and Tweddle's assessment methods.
Policy and legislative response: whether the Victorian government reviews reunification procedures or the use of residential parenting courses in high-risk cases.

Analysis

Why This Matters

Background

Key Perspectives

What to Watch

Sources