CONCERNS RAISED AS 12-YEAR-OLD BOY IN STATE CARE REMAINS MISSING FOR TWO WEEKS

(Image via doidam10 | VistaCreate)

BY ASAD KHAN

A 12-year-old boy, described by a magistrate as Western Australia’s "most vulnerable child," has been missing from state care for the past two weeks.

The child, whose identity cannot be revealed, was under a "complex care arrangement" and was subject to 24-hour supervision as part of his bail conditions.

 His disappearance has raised significant concerns, with many questioning why authorities did not immediately report him as missing.

The boy's mother, speaking to the ABC, expressed her distress over the situation, stating that she had not heard from her son.

 She also questioned the delay in reporting his absence, voicing concerns about the effectiveness of the state’s child protection system.

Gerry addresses a rally in Redfern, New South Wales in 2012. (Supplied: Gerry Georgatos)

Gerry Georgatos, a prominent Suicide Prevention Project Mentor and Poverty researcher, has weighed in on the case, he shared with Ngaarda Media that this is not the first time such an incident has occurred. 

He said people must be held accountable for the failure to protect vulnerable children in state care.

“The children of the First Peoples, and those who have been removed from their families and placed in state care, face an appalling reality,

“Only one in 12 are reunited with their biological parents before the age of 18. This means 11 out of 12 children in state care are not returned to their families, 

“This is an abominable, reprehensible statistic that demands widespread attention and accountability,” he said.

The case has brought to light serious concerns regarding the state’s child protection system, highlighting the urgent need for reform. 

The boy’s continued absence and the lack of immediate action from authorities have raised further questions about the adequacy of the support systems in place for vulnerable children.

The WA Government and relevant authorities have yet to provide further updates on the situation, though the investigation into the boy’s disappearance is ongoing.

As concerns grow, child welfare advocates are calling for a comprehensive review of the state’s child protection services to ensure that children in care are adequately safeguarded and that incidents like this do not recur.

Listen to Ngaarda Media’s Asad Khan speak with Gerry Georgatos: