The babysitter of 17-month-old baby Ronan Davies has broken his silence, insisting the toddler fell in an accident.
The Adelaide baby died two days after presenting to the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, suffering from serious head and internal injuries.
Police believed the injuries were caused by an assault that occurred sometime in the afternoon of Wednesday, June 7.
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The babysitter had submitted an explanation regarding the child’s injuries, but police had put the man as a person of interest.
The babysitter, Quentin Corrigan, who was believed to be a friend of the toddler’s father, said: “That’s the truth”.
“So, when I left to take him to (my ex-girlfriend’s) place, he slipped out of the pram, and I picked him up and comforted him,” he told 7 News.
Corrigan said the boy appeared fine when they caught an Uber to his home.
He said he was “heartbroken” when the toddler died, saying he “pretty much idolised the boy”.
Detective Inspector Mark McEachern said: “We’re not satisfied as to the truthfulness of that explanation, and that is certainly subject to our murder investigation now.”
Ronan’s parents paid tribute to him today, saying they would always remember him as “playful, happy, cheeky and perfect in every way.”
The couple said they had no choice but to leave Ronan in the care of a friend as they had only moved to Adelaide from interstate and did not have family nearby.
“We loved him with every part of us,” the couple said.
Ronan’s death has been classified as a Major Crime murder case, while no arrests or charges have been laid.
Police have urged information from anyone who may have seen Ronan in the lead-up to his death.