- Jarrad Roberts died from an ear infection in Adelaide home of squalor
- By Pia Akerman
- The Australian
- 19/03/2009 Make a Comment
- Contributed by: The Rooster ( 258 articles in 2009 )
A BOY who died of a common ear infection lived in a house where the stench of faeces and rotting food was overpowering, and layers of garbage on the floor were so thick police could not walk through some rooms.
An inquest into the death of Jarrad Roberts, 10, in October 2006, was yesterday shown shocking video footage of the Adelaide home where he lived with his mother and older sister.
Senior Constable Darren Mead told South Australian Coroner Mark Johns he had found "bags upon bags" of garbage on entering the house, only three hours after Jarrad died in hospital.
"It just smelt of rotten food, of sweat, urine, faeces," he said. "It just was a very overwhelming smell when we walked in."
Jarrad's death came hours after he was taken to a local health clinic by his family. He arrived in a wheelchair and seemed to be drowsy, complaining of pain in his neck, fever and bleeding from his right ear.
He had had the ear infection for five days, and it was recommended he go to hospital for treatment. Instead, his mother Michelle took him home and gave him a dose of antibiotics.
He collapsed 20 minutes later.
The inquest is hearing evidence about Jarrad's medical treatment, as well as testimony from departmental officials on why he was living in such squalor at the house in Prospect, in Adelaide's inner north.
When police visited the house, they found bird faeces from a pet pigeon covering the furniture, a fridge full of mouldy food, and the bulbs missing from most of the ceiling lights.
"There was no toilet paper in the house at the time," Senior Constable Mead said. He had found a T-shirt on the bathroom floor by the toilet, smeared with faeces.
One room was impossible to get into because there was so much junk piled up against the door.
Ms Roberts was due to testify earlier this week, but has been allowed time to seek legal advice before she gives evidence.
The Coroner has heard life in the house "fell apart" after Ms Roberts's boyfriend moved out.
The video footage showed some care had originally been taken in decorating the house, but the rooms had subsequently become overrun with rubbish.
In Jarrad's sister's room, pink Barbie curtains hung over the windows, but the layers of debris gave police the impression no one could have slept there "for weeks to months".
Jarrad had slept on a mattress on the loungeroom floor that was littered with ashtrays and rubbish. Senior Constable Mead said the room's only lighting was the television.
An inquest into the death of Jarrad Roberts, 10, in October 2006, was yesterday shown shocking video footage of the Adelaide home where he lived with his mother and older sister.
Senior Constable Darren Mead told South Australian Coroner Mark Johns he had found "bags upon bags" of garbage on entering the house, only three hours after Jarrad died in hospital.
"It just smelt of rotten food, of sweat, urine, faeces," he said. "It just was a very overwhelming smell when we walked in."
Jarrad's death came hours after he was taken to a local health clinic by his family. He arrived in a wheelchair and seemed to be drowsy, complaining of pain in his neck, fever and bleeding from his right ear.
He had had the ear infection for five days, and it was recommended he go to hospital for treatment. Instead, his mother Michelle took him home and gave him a dose of antibiotics.
He collapsed 20 minutes later.
The inquest is hearing evidence about Jarrad's medical treatment, as well as testimony from departmental officials on why he was living in such squalor at the house in Prospect, in Adelaide's inner north.
When police visited the house, they found bird faeces from a pet pigeon covering the furniture, a fridge full of mouldy food, and the bulbs missing from most of the ceiling lights.
"There was no toilet paper in the house at the time," Senior Constable Mead said. He had found a T-shirt on the bathroom floor by the toilet, smeared with faeces.
One room was impossible to get into because there was so much junk piled up against the door.
Ms Roberts was due to testify earlier this week, but has been allowed time to seek legal advice before she gives evidence.
The Coroner has heard life in the house "fell apart" after Ms Roberts's boyfriend moved out.
The video footage showed some care had originally been taken in decorating the house, but the rooms had subsequently become overrun with rubbish.
In Jarrad's sister's room, pink Barbie curtains hung over the windows, but the layers of debris gave police the impression no one could have slept there "for weeks to months".
Jarrad had slept on a mattress on the loungeroom floor that was littered with ashtrays and rubbish. Senior Constable Mead said the room's only lighting was the television.
Source: https://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25208493-5006787,00.html
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