The vulnerable toddler found dead in her cot after allegedly being left to rot for two days lost her mother during childbirth and suffered a history of child safety issues.
Mark James Dunn, 43, has been charged with the murder of his four-year-old daughter Willow after police made the horrifying discovery on Monday morning.
Police are probing whether Willow, who lived with Down syndrome and grew up without a mother, starved to death and was being denied medication.
Her body was allegedly found in a back bedroom inside the rented home in Cannon Hill in Brisbane’s east, where she lived with her father, step-mother and step-sister.
Dunn, who was born in Auckland, allegedly told police his daughter had been dead since Saturday morning – but no call to emergency services was made until Monday.
Police are investigating whether the toddler was malnourished or not given important medication.
On Tuesday night, the Department of Child Safety confirmed it had had contact with the family in relation to Willow.
A man is seen laying flowers outside the Cannon Hill home (pictured) of Willow Dunn, 4, who was found dead in her cot on Monday, police alleged
A teddy bear wearing a Parramatta Eels jersey is seen in the bedroom of the Cannon Hill home on Tuesday (pictured) just hours after little Willow was allegedly found in her cot
Shocked neighbours began arriving at the scene on Tuesday to lay flowers for the toddler, who suffered allegedly bone-deep sores to her hips, police said.
Police will allege Willow had been left with no food, and was badly malnourished, according to the Courier Mail.
Her father was charged under a new definition of murder in Queensland aimed at child-killers, which includes ‘reckless indifference to human life’.
The case was briefly mentioned in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Tuesday, but Dunn did not appear in person, with the case adjourned until July 20.
He allegedly told police he found Willow dead in her cot, but no one raised the alarm for two days.
A teddy bear, dressed in a Parramatta Eels jersey, was placed in the window of the family home on Tuesday, while a pram sat abandoned in the front garden.
An investigator is seen on Tuesday removing evidence from the Cannon Hill home (pictured) where little Willow is said to have died
Police have cordoned off the home (pictured on Tuesday) as they try to determine the cause of Willow’s death
Down Syndrome Queensland chief executive Darryl Steff told 7News the family had previously had contact with the charity.
‘We are very saddened about death of Willow. It is unacceptable for a child to die … regardless of disability,’ Mr Steff said.
Child Safety Minister Di Farmer gave no further detail over the department’s contact with the family.
‘The death of any child is a tragedy,’ she said in a statement.
‘I know the death of this little girl has had a profound impact on our community and my deepest sympathies go to those who knew and loved this child.’
Neighbours watched on in horror as the family were led from the home, with other young children in tow, on Monday morning to speak with investigators.
Police have been at the Cannon Hill home (pictured on Tuesday) since emergency services found the toddler’s body on Monday
Senior detectives, two ambulances and a fleet of police cars descended on the home following the grim discovery and immediately established a crime scene.
Pictures taken at the scene on Tuesday morning show investigators had returned to take forensic swabs and further examine the family home.
An abandoned stroller was left in the front of the property with a small basketball shaped toy attached to its handle.
Police had taped off the area surrounding the stroller.
A smiling teddy bear was also seen in a front window of the home above a sign which read ‘Mark’s’.
The teddy was dressed in a Parramatta Eels NRL jersey.
A stroller was seen in the front yard on Tuesday (pictured) as police continued to investigate what happened to the toddler
Detectives are still working to determine how Willow died, and are investigating whether she starved to death.
She also allegedly did not receive crucial medication, Seven News reported.
A call was made to Queensland Ambulance Service just after 9am on Monday.
An SUV with green ‘P’ Plates was left in the driveway on Tuesday morning, as were camping chairs which were strewn across the front lawn.
One resident, Kathy Cowell, came to lay flowers outside the house in honour of Willow.
A forensic police officer is seen on Tuesday (pictured) removing items from the Cannon Hill home
An officer takes pictures of a car in the driveway of the Cannon Hill home on Tuesday (pictured)
‘It’s just a sad way for a little girl to go,’ she told 10 News.
‘I’ve got grandchildren, it’s just very, very sad. No four-year-old deserves to pass like that.’
A tradesman, Trent O’Brien, who was working on the street when police arrived, said about five people, including a small child wearing a nappy, walked out of the home as emergency services arrived.
Police spent the day at the Bent Street address and interviewed members of the girl’s family.
They are assisting with the investigation, police revealed.
Police are seen recreating the floor plan of the house on Tuesday (pictured), showing the girl’s body was foun din a back bedroom upstairs
A neighbour said a family rented the home in the quiet suburban street.
‘I have never heard much from them. It is quite a quiet street… it’s a bit of a shock,’ the resident said.
Parents at a nearby school, Cannon Hill Anglican College, were assured there was no threat to other children.
‘Should you hear of this incident through the media, please be assured there is no reason to be fearful of any threat to the school,’ an email to parents read.
‘Your children are safe and are being kept totally unaware of the police presence outside the college.’
Investigators are seen on Tuesday (pictured) taking pictures of evidence recovered from the home