A woman has been charged with murder after a three-year-old girl was found dead at a seaside home in Queensland.
Emergency services rushed to Moore Park Beach, on the outskirts of Bundaberg, at about 4.45pm on Monday following ‘multiple’ reports from concerned neighbours.
A three-year-old girl was found unresponsive at the Regency Road home and was declared dead after she could not be revived.
A 32-year-old woman who was assisting police with their investigation has since been charged with one count of murder.
She is expected to face the Bundaberg Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
Police declared the home a crime scene, with forensic officers working to determine how and why the tragedy unfolded.
Two other children were also home at the time but unharmed. They are now in the care of others.
The girl and woman are known to each other but police are yet to provide further details on their relationship.
A 32-year-old woman has been charged with one count of murder following the death of a three-year-old girl
The three-year-old girl was found unresponsive at a home on Regency Road in Moore Park Beach, on the outskirts of Bundaberg, Queensland
Chief Inspector Grant Marcus told reporters at the scene that a man who lived at the residence had been working away from the home when the incident unfolded.
He returned home after being notified by police of the tragedy.
Screams of horror from a male were heard echoing throughout the normally quiet beachside suburb, as more than 30 neighbors watched on, some of them in tears.
A clearly distressed man was seen on his hands and knees in despair as other shocked neighbours consoled each other.
Chief Inspector Marcus described the scene as ‘tragic’ and said it was ‘very early days’ in the investigation.
‘We’re trying to now process this whole scene to determine what on earth has happened,’ he said.
‘This is a really tragic evening. There’s a lot of processing to be done.
A clearly distressed man was seen on his hands and knees in despair as police taped off the scene and declared the area a crime scene
More than 30 shocked neighbours consoled each other as forensic officers started their investigation
‘We’re talking to neighbours, we’re going through the scene.’
Anyone with more information is urged to contact Policelink or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Located 23km from Bundaberg, Moore Park Beach is home to 2,890 residents, according to the 2021 Census.
The latest tragedy comes as police ramp up the search for local teen Pheobe Bishop, who vanished without a trace earlier this month.
Pheobe, 17, was last seen on May 15, leaving a rundown home 60km away in Gin Gin and was on her way to Bundaberg Airport but never checked in for her flight.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic and family violence, you should report it to police.
Support and counselling is available.
DVConnect Womensline on 1800 811 811
DVConnect Mensline on 1800 600 636
1800 RESPECT on 1800 373 732
13YARN on 13 92 76
