Jaye Lee Walton denied bail after being charged with manslaughter of seventh-month-old baby

Australia Broadcast Center

12 hours ago

A father charged over the alleged domestic violence-related death of his seven-month-old son has been remanded in custody.
It is alleged 42-year-old Jaye Lee Walton committed the manslaughter of his infant son, Reef Hunter Walton, while they were staying at a campsite at Chatsworth, on the Sunshine Coast, on Saturday morning.
Mr Walton appeared via video link in the Ipswich Magistrates Court on Thursday morning.
The court heard that a witness had told Mr Walton's partner, Amy Stevenson, that they "saw him throw him in" to a pond at the campsite, north of Gympie.
Ms Stevenson also told police a woman at the campsite had approached her and said "the guys are saying they saw him throw him into the water", the court heard.
Prosecutor Senior Sergeant Michael Read said police were yet to identify the people who made those claims and were actively searching for more witnesses.
The court heard Ms Stevenson found Mr Walton lying asleep near the pond and saw the seven-month-old floating face down about ten metres out in the water.
Mr Walton had taken the child to the toilet block half an hour earlier, the court heard.
Ms Stevenson jumped into the pond and began performing CPR on her son while paramedics were called.
The court heard, Ms Stevenson told police Mr Walton then woke up and was "smiling" and "oblivious" before allegedly fleeing on foot, only returning due to the actions of bystanders.
The court was told Mr Walton didn't answer questions from police and consented to a breath test but then failed to take the test.
The court also heard that Mr Walton was an alcoholic and had consumed "about four litres" of cask wine on the night before the incident.
Ms Stevenson told police Mr Walton had slept in the car with their son, who was teething, so she could get a better night's sleep as she was to be the driver the next day, the prosecutor said.
In her statement Ms Stevenson described Mr Walton as a "loving father" who was the child's primary carer.
Due to the serious nature of the charges, Mr Walton was required to show cause in order to receive bail, and argue why detention was not justified.
Mr Walton's lawyer, Mark Butler, argued the case was one of criminal negligence, but Magistrate Robert Walker said there was a "clear suggestion" more serious charges would follow.
In rejecting the bail application, Magistrate Walker said Mr Walton's multiple alcohol-related traffic charges showed he was a danger to the public.
Magistrate Walker said Mr Walton was also a danger to himself, and he was remanded in custody.
The matter is expected to be heard in the Gympie Magistrates Court on August 4.