A mother in Australia is being investigated for cannibalism after her 4-year-old son was found dead with his arm mutilated.
The 32-year-old appeared at a police station in the town of Wyong, north of Sydney, on Saturday, prompting police to conduct a welfare check at her home. The Sydney Morning Herald reported.
There, officers found the body of a young boy with serious arm injuries — a scene so horrific that first responders needed support services, authorities said.
Officers are investigating possible cannibalism in the boy’s death after “discussions” with his mother, SMH reported.
The child may have been dead for days, Nine news I mentioned.
“I’m willing to say publicly right now, it was a very confronting scene. It’s confirmed that the child sustained injuries. I’m not going to speculate further on what those injuries were,” Tjirah Lakes Police Superintendent Chad Gillis said at a news conference Sunday morning.
The mother, whose identity has not been revealed, was arrested at the police station and charged with murder and domestic violence on Sunday.
Police also confiscated her car along with other evidence.
Gillis said police and emergency services who were at the scene of the disturbing incident were receiving support.
“This is a confronting scene for even the most experienced police and ambulances, which is why we need their support,” he said.
The crime stunned the quiet coastal town of Wyong, where neighbors said they saw no signs of trouble.
“[The boy] Everything was happy, as I saw him walking the dog and walking up and down the street. “He was very energetic,” said a neighbor who previously worked on his mother’s car.
“[The boy] He says, “Oh, you’re fixing up your mom’s car, did you break it again?” He was happy. “We couldn’t see any signs of anything,” added the neighbor, who asked to remain anonymous.
Another neighbor said the mother and son moved into the rented house earlier this year after an alleged domestic violence incident between the woman and her ex-partner.
The mother was refused bail after she failed to appear in court on Sunday.
She is due back in court in Wyong on September 1.