Man charged with death of partner’s child


AAP

The man charged with murdering his girlfriend’s two-year-old daughter has also been accused of intimidating witnesses in the case.

Warren Ross, 28, was arrested on Tuesday in the Ourimbah State Forest, on the NSW Central Coast.

He was believed to have been camping with Donna Deaves at the time, Macquarie Radio reported.

He has been charged with murdering Ms Deaves’ daughter, Tanilla Warrick-Deaves.

Detective Inspector David Waddell said Tanilla had suffered a sustained attack prior to her death.

“The child, when she was found, did have a number or injuries and they had been sustained over a period of time – days and weeks prior to her death,” Det Insp Waddell told reporters in Wyong on Wednesday.

Tanilla was rushed to hospital on August 27 after police found her with significant injuries at her Watanobbi home.

She was pronounced dead at Wyong Hospital a short time later.

A previous public appeal into Tanilla’s death resulted in some “good feedback”.

“Yes, we had a number of people come forward who had witnessed her, or someone they believed to be her, being assaulted,” Det Insp Waddell said.

After his arrest, Ross was taken to a local police station and charged with murder, intimidation and two counts of using a carriage service to threaten.

The additional charges relate to accusations that Ross intimidated witnesses in the case.

“They relate directly to this investigation,” Det Insp Waddell said.

“They related to witnesses involved in the investigation.”

Several hours after his arrest he was taken to Gosford Hospital where he spent Tuesday night before being discharged on Wednesday.

He was treated for minor injuries to his right hand, abrasions and a possible minor bone fracture.

“He was taken to hospital for injuries that were self-inflicted,” Det Insp Waddell said but noted they were not the result of self-harm.

Ross appeared briefly before Magistrate Glenn Walsh at Wyong Local Court on Wednesday.

He did not enter a plea or apply for bail, which was formally refused, and the matter was adjourned until November 23.

Detectives from Strike Force Maynard interviewed Tanilla’s 27-year-old mother and Ross at the time of the child’s death, but both were released without charge.

Insp Waddell told reporters it was “a very strong case” and police did not expect to charge Donna Deaves.

He said every detective at Tuggerah Lakes local area command and the community were deeply affected by Tanilla’s death.

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