Eight-Month-Old Dies in Victoria; Foster Parents Speak Out on Return to Biological Parents

An eight-month-old baby girl has died in suspicious circumstances in Redan, Victoria, with authorities confirming she had been returned to her biological parents three days before her death. The baby, identified as Mia by her foster parents, was found unresponsive at a property on September 21. Emergency services performed CPR at the scene before transporting her to a Ballarat hospital. She was later transferred to a Melbourne hospital, where she died two days later.

Homicide squad detectives have interviewed a 23-year-old man, who has since been released pending further inquiries. Police have stated the investigation into the baby's death is ongoing.

Mia had been in the care of foster parents since she was three weeks old. Her foster parents expressed their devastation, stating, "Our daughter is gone. We spent more time with her than any other person on the planet." They reported that the baby had signs of traumatic injury, including bruising, when she first came into their care, but her condition improved significantly. "She became the happiest little baby, she just glowed," the foster father recounted.

According to reports, the baby was placed with her biological parents under a supervised visitation schedule, involving up to four hours of contact five days a week. Court proceedings to determine her long-term care arrangements were reportedly adjourned multiple times. The foster parents learned that a crucial report investigating the baby's original injuries was inconclusive, which they believe led to the magistrate's decision to return the child to her biological parents.

The biological parents reportedly underwent an assessment at Tweddle, a state-wide early parenting center, which included a ten-day residential parenting course. Both parents were understood to have been approved following this assessment. The couple living at the Redan property declined to comment when approached by reporters.

Neighbors described the couple as largely unseen, having lived at the rented property for less than a year. Some indicated they were unaware the couple had a baby. Police were seen visiting the home in the days following the baby's death. A woman believed to be the mother was observed holding a teddy bear at the doorway, accompanied by a man, before leaving the premises.