The heartbroken father of two disabled adult siblings who were allegedly murdered by their mother tried desperately to have his son placed in care after his daughter’s death.
Mark Crabtree applied for Jonathon Crabtree, 26, to be placed into adult care following the death of his younger sister Erin, 18, in 2012, Courier Mail reports.
His application was successful but later appealed by his ex wife, Maree Crabtree, 51, who was arrested earlier this week over the deaths of her two children.
Speaking outside his Sydney home Friday, Mr Crabtree lamented he couldn’t do more to save his children.
‘I loved Erin and Jonathan, of course I do, I’ve always loved them,’ he said.
Gold Coast woman Maree Mavis Crabtree, 51, was arrested on Wednesday morning over the deaths of her disabled children
These are the disabled siblings allegedly murdered by their own mother. Jonathan (right) and Erin (left) Crabtree died five years apart on the Gold Coast
‘They’re my kids and I’m heartbroken at the death of my kids. It’s a horrible situation, it’s terrible.’
The distraught father, joined by Queensland police, held deep concerns for Jonathon’s welfare following Erin’s death, with police even assisting in an application to Queensland’s office of the Adult Guardians to place him in care.
But Crabtree launched a successful appeal to have Jonathon back in her care, and despite police revealing their concern for his welfare, he was returned to his mother.
A few months went by before he too was found dead under suspicious circumstances.
Crabtree launched a successful appeal to have Jonathon back in her care, and despite police revealing their concern for his welfare, he was returned to his mother
A few months went by before he too was found dead under suspicious circumstances
Someone close to the investigation into the cause of Erin’s death, which was originally thought to be suicide, revealed detectives were desperate for Jonathon to be removed from his mother’s care.
‘The system failed him,’ the source said. ‘Erin’s death was originally ruled a suicide but there were plenty of people who didn’t believe that.’
The 18-year-old’s death was still under investigation when Jonathan’s body was found at an Upper Coomera home in July last year.
Erin Crabtree, died at a Maudsland home in September, 2012, where the accused was living at the time.
Police will reportedly allege Crabtree slowly poisoned her children over an ‘extended period’
Someone close to the investigation revealed detectives were desperate for Jonathon to be removed from his mother’s care
Jonathon’s death was what sparked a renewed inquest by police which culminated in this week’s arrest of Crabtree from a home in Brisbane.
A former partner of Crabtree described her children as ‘great kids’ and revealed they had been ‘healthy’ while under his care, the Daily Telegraph reports.
He said his relationship with the accused eventually broke down over financial issues.
Police will allege Crabtree gave Erin a lethal dose of drugs before taking the rest of the family on a cruise holiday, The Australian reported.
In 2012 18-year-old Erin was left behind when Crabtree and Jonathon went on a cruise, despite the teen requiring full-time care
Jonathon’s death was what sparked a renewed inquest by police which culminated in this week’s arrest of Crabtree from a home in Brisbane
When her son was found dead years later, a suicide note was discovered – but police will allege it was prepared by the mother, according to the publication.
Crabtree had allegedly been administering medication over a period of time, contributing to their conditions, from which she benefited financially.
Detectives allege Crabtree fraudulently received over $550,000 from an insurance payment, before allegedly attempting to receive another $125,000 death benefit and $238,000 permanent disability claim.
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