Police have charged a man with murder over the death of a newborn baby south of Brisbane more than 18 months ago.
The three-week-old boy died at Queensland Children’s Hospital on July 22, 2024, four days after being admitted in a critical condition.
Detectives from the Logan Child Protection and Investigation Unit, alongside the Child Trauma Unit, launched Operation Whiskey Nell to determine the cause of the child’s death.
Police said extensive medical tests indicated the child had suffered internal injuries, allegedly received at a Greenbank address.
Hank Sherriff, 25, of Cleveland was arrested on Monday morning and charged with murder.
The baby boy suffered injuries at a house at Greenbank, south of Brisbane. (ABC News: Charlie McLean)
In the weeks following the child’s death, Mr Sherriff posted a tribute to social media to the boy.
“Today you were cremated,” the post said.
“I have no words, I love you son forever and always I told you to hit the sun and reach the stars and I know you did.”
“I’ll love you forever my little man no matter what, death shall not make us part I’ll see you soon.”
Glen Antonie says a 25-year-old man was charged with murder after being arrested on Monday morning. (ABC News: Charlie McLean)
Queensland Police Detective Acting Inspector Glen Antonie said the man was charged with one count of murder after an “extensive investigation”.
“It has been an extremely protracted, complex and extensive investigation, and we’ve relied on evidence, forensics and the expertise of medical [experts],” he said.
“It’s only on the review of those results and those examinations that we’ve been able to progress this matter today to the charging of a 25-year-old Cleveland man.”
Mr Sherriff’s case was mentioned in Brisbane Magistrates Court and was adjourned for three weeks.
He will appear at Beenleigh Magistrates Court on February 25.