Terrence John Bice: Carnarvon dad charged with murdering daughter Teagen Ferguson wants bail

A Carnarvon father who was charged with murder 16 years after he allegedly inflicted permanent and catastrophic injuries to his two-year-old daughter is mounting a bid for bail, with his trial possibly still more than a year away. Terrence John Bice, 40, is accused of seriously assaulting his toddler Teagen Jade Ferguson, who died aged 18 in June 2020 after spending years in palliative care. Mr Bice has pleaded not guilty to murder, with the Supreme Court on Monday told he was preparing to apply for bail because he was unlikely to stand trial until July next year. That was the earliest date his barrister, Tom Percy, would be available. Justice Michael Corboy told Mr Bice that he should understand that the court could provide trial dates between October and January but it was his choice if he was to continue with Mr Percy as trial counsel. Prosecutor David Davidson said bail would be opposed. Mr Bice is accused of causing Teagen a traumatic brain injury when he allegedly flung her to the ground, cracking her head while her mother, Kristy, went to have a shower at the Wanneroo home they shared on March 12, 2005. Teagen had been crying and Mr Bice was allegedly unable to settle her. After she was allegedly thrown to the ground, the then two-year-old was rushed to hospital where emergency surgery was carried out and saved the little girl’s life — but she spent several days in a coma. She was then moved to a Cottesloe care facility and spent several more years in and out of hospital undergoing numerous treatments to make her quality of life more bearable. “The assault caused the victim to sustain a traumatic brain injury and develop numerous chronic health conditions which directly impacted on her quality of life,” police have alleged. “It will be alleged that the injuries received during the assault eventually led to her death.” Teagen developed numerous chronic health conditions as a result of the alleged incident including permanent brain damage and disability, epilepsy and cerebral palsy. Mr Bice’s bail hearing has not yet been listed.