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Tiny Willow Dunn never stood a chance. The four-year-old's mum died in childbirth. She was being raised by her father, stepmother and stepsister in Cannon Hill, Queensland.
She was murdered on Saturday, possibly earlier than that. When police found her days later, she was decomposing. Her body was covered in sores so deep, her bones could be seen. Burns marked her skin. Rats had eaten some of her body away, media outlets say.
Police believe she was starved and neglected for a significant time before she was killed. They also suspect she was denied needed medication.
Willow, who had Down syndrome, was under the watch of Queensland's Child Pritection system.
Willow, who had Down syndrome, was under the watch of Queensland's Child Pritection system.
Despite authorities knowing this little girl was in a vulnerable and potentially deadly situation, they did nothing. It is very clear that a lot adults had the chance to save Willow, but they failed.
Even in death, Willow suffers the cruelty of an uncaring world. There are now many people on social media saying Willow's death was a mercy because she lived with a disability.
They say that those who cared for her were overwhelmed by her needs and that this was the best outcome for all involved. These comments are reprehensible.
Like Anne Marie Smith, a vulnerable woman living with a disability who died from extreme neglect in Adelaide weeks ago, Willow was a human who deserved to live a life of safety, care and love.
People with disabilities are not "burdens on society or families" and it is not for others to choose if they live or die.
Willow is the 14th child killed in Australia this year. 24 women and 58 men have also been lost to murder or manslaughter in 2020.
RIP WILLOW DUNN!
RIP WILLOW DUNN!
