BY REX MARTINICH AND LAINE CLARK IN BRISBANE
A FATHER who took his baby boy to hospital with significant internal injuries was later surprised when accused of the child’s murder, police say.
Uneeb Ullah, 28, was charged after his three-month-old son died in a Brisbane hospital in what police described as a “terribly tragic event”.
Ullah was home alone with the boy at the time of the alleged injuries and took him to Ipswich Hospital west of Brisbane on October 1, police said.
The child had arrived at hospital with “significant internal injuries”, sparking a police investigation.
“Hospital staff contacted police due to the nature of those injuries,” Detective Inspector Mick Manago said last Wednesday.
The infant was transferred to a Brisbane hospital and died on Tuesday afternoon, almost a week later.
Ullah was “surprised” when he was later arrested, Det Insp Manago said.
But he would not comment on what Ullah said to police, nor would he discuss the boy’s injuries.
Support has been thrown behind the devastated mother, who was in a relationship with Ullah and had no other children, police said.
“The boy’s mother is extremely upset as you can imagine,” Det Insp Manago said.
“This is a terribly tragic event involving a very vulnerable, young member of the community.
“She’s struggling but we are offering all the support that we can.”
The devastating case had been tragic for all involved, including police and hospital staff, he added.
Police released an image of the young boy on Wednesday afternoon at the request of the family.
“We ask on their behalf that media respect the family’s privacy at this time,” a spokesperson said.
Ullah was not required to appear when his matter was mentioned in Brisbane Magistrates Court.
Ullah was remanded in custody until the matter returns to court on October 26.
Det Insp Manago said he would not speculate on further charges.
