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Homicide investigation into suspicious child death, Mount Cotton
Detectives have launched an appeal for community assistance as part of a homicide investigation into the suspicious death of an 11-year-old girl at Mount Cotton in August 2019.
Sophie Smith (pictured) was found deceased at 5pm on 1 August 2019, after officers attended an Orchid Drive address to conduct a welfare check. It is believed she may have died inside the residence in the days prior.
A woman in her 40s, known to the girl, was taken to the Redlands Hospital at the time with non-life threatening injuries.
Detectives from the Homicide Group, Child Trauma Unit and Wynnum Child Protection and Investigation Unit commenced a homicide investigation following the post-mortem examination and information received and believe the death of Sophie is suspicious.
Police believe that Sophie died between Saturday 27th July and 1st August, Detective Inspector Hollands said. She did not appear to suffer any injury or medical condition that would explain her death. As a result of certain inconsistencies in witness versions and in the autopsy results, we now believe that Sophie s death was suspicious.
Detective Inspector Stephen Hollands said that Sophie did not appear to suffer any injury or medical condition that would explain her death.(Nine)
Police said at the time there was no evidence of a break-in, or any other signs that would suggest the death was suspicious.
Police are continuing to investigate a serious assault at Wynnum on Sunday morning.
Officers were called to a Bridge Street sports ground around 11.30am where a group were engaged in a physical altercation.
Investigations suggest the initial assault was unprovoked and took place when a 35-year-old man was pushed down a set of stairs, knocking over a 59-year-old woman.
The man attempted to remove himself from the confrontation by walking on to the sports ground, however the altercation continued and more people became involved.
Detective Inspector Stephen Hollands from the Bayside Patrol Group said the extensive investigations are ongoing.
“We are working through a large amount of statements and footage to determine the circumstances of the assault,” he said.