The girl's mother was sentenced to five months' jail for child neglect in 2019 after failing to take her daughter to hospital for type 1 diabetes. Upon her release on parole on 16 December 2021, she was assessed by a parole intake officer who had no access to the QP9 file containing details of her conviction or the judge's sentencing remarks.
The officer conducted an immediate risk assessment and marked 'no' to any issues posing an immediate risk. The mother reportedly told the officer she believed God would heal the child and would not interfere with getting treatment, saying she would do the same again.
A senior correctional services officer told the court Kerrie should have been flagged for the 'serious offenders unit' due to causing 'serious child harm'. The parole intake officer upgraded the mother's risk from low to standard, requiring weekly meetings. However, a subsequent meeting on 23 December lasted only 10-15 minutes, with the duty officer noting the proximity to Christmas.
The girl died on 7 January 2022 after her father withdrew her insulin from 3 January. Her parents and 12 other adults were convicted of manslaughter last year. The inquest continues.