How Could You? Hall of Shame-Australia-Luke Borusiewicz case-Child Death UPDATED

This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.

From Cairns, Australia, The Coroner’s Court is finally ” examining the death of Luke Borusiewicz, 2, who died after sustaining head injuries while in the care of a 74-year-old woman in 2009.”

“Yesterday, the court heard the toddler’s parents had raised concerns about bruises, abrasions and a burn he had sustained but nothing was done about their complaints.

The court heard that child safety officers had concerns about the fact the 74-year-old woman was looking after a number of children at her age but there were no other carers available.

Michael Borusiewicz says he has spent the past three years fighting for the truth about what happened to his son.

“I’ll never get Luke back but I want to know that I’ve done everything I possibly can while he was alive and after his death,” he said.

He says there should be a royal commission into child safety services Australia-wide.

“Well they’re not going to bring Luke back but I want to see a fairer system for parents that have never abused their children,” he said.

The inquest is expected to run for three days.”

Inquest probes toddler foster care death

[Australia Broadcasting Company 7/26/12]

REFORM Puzzle Piece

Update: “A toddler who died in the care of an elderly woman was placed with her largely because there were no other foster parents available, an inquest has been told.

Two-year-old Luke Borusiewicz died in hospital on January 12, 2009, after he fell from his bed while in foster care.

At the inquest into his death on Thursday, former Families Plus placement support worker Colleen Lowe said the organisation had tried urgently to find a foster carer for Luke before Christmas 2008.

“There were very few options,” she told the inquest in Cairns.

When asked if the then 74-year-old foster carer, who cannot be named, had expressed reluctance to look after Luke, Ms Lowe said “she did”.

“She felt that he required a level of supervision that she could not provide,” Ms Lowe said.

Despite this, the carer agreed to look after the boy.

Families Plus far north Queensland regional manager Jeanene Lynam said there was a shortage of emergency carers at the time.

“There were three carers identified … two were unavailable,” Ms Lynam told the inquest.

Ms Lynam said her organisation was no longer responsible for finding emergency care for children.

Earlier on Thursday, forensic pathologist Dr Paull Botterill said he found Luke’s cause of death to be head injuries consistent with falling out of bed onto a hard surface.

The inquest, before Coroner Kevin Priestly, is due to conclude on Friday.”

Foster system full before boy’s death

[Nine News 7/26/12]