Perth, Australia: Tragedy as 10-year-old boy takes his own life while under state care
- Indigenous child takes own life while under WA state care
- His parents said they had 26 case managers over three years
- READ MORE: Indigenous footy star dies in NT car crash
A 10-year-old Indigenous boy has taken his own life while under the care of the West Australian government.
The boy was removed from his family about three years ago and had been living with relatives at a property in Perth where he died on Friday night. The relatives had been approved by authorities.
The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was officially under the care of the Department of Communities who had also removed another three of his five siblings.
The boy's parents had been making efforts to regain custody.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said it was 'impossible not to be moved' and it was a 'tragic circumstance' that highlighted the divide between Aboriginals and the rest of the population in regards to both physical and mental health.
The 10-year-old boy (pictured) was under the care of the WA Department of Communities
'It certainly does speak to the fact that we have enormous challenges going forward in relation to closing the gap,' he said on Thursday.
'News of this kind only adds to redoubling our efforts to make sure we do everything we can to make inroads in respect to the gap.'
The child's father told The Nightly that his Christmas presents were still wrapped up in the house waiting for the boy to return, and that he collapsed when he was told by police.
'I just screamed, hung the phone up, and dropped to the ground,' he said.
'We can never have our little boy back,' the boy's mother added.
'He loved soccer, he loved Skittles. He was such a handsome young man'.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said the boy's death was tragic and highlighted the difficulties face by some Indigenous communities
His parents said they have had 26 different case managers since the state took their son and it had been about eight months since they last saw him.
A child's death under state care is automatically investigated by a coronial inquiry, which will prevent his parents from seeing their boy's body for another few days.
A Department of Communities spokesperson said 'those impacted will be or have been offered support'.
'The death of any child or young person is a tragedy, which has a devastating impact on the families, friends and communities involved,' the spokesperson said.
'The safety and wellbeing of children is always the Department of Communities' highest priority.'
Indigenous Affairs Minister Linda Burney said the death was 'shocking, heartbreaking and demands deep reflection'.
'My heart goes out to the family and community in WA that has lost a son so young,' she posted on X.
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READ MORE: What caused five Aboriginal girls take their own lives?
A 15-year-old died in Queensland followed by girls aged 12, 14, 15 and 12 in Western Australia, the Northern Territory and South Australia (stock image)
