Tragedy in Mullewa as homeless 10-month-old baby boy dies during Statewide housing crisis

The tragedy of a 10-month-old baby boy who died in the Mid West while his mother was trapped in a cycle of homelessness is a problem that “won’t go away”, according to advocates. Crystal, 32, woke to find her infant son Kenneth had died after becoming entangled in a blanket in the bed they were sharing. She had been homeless most of her adult life, but had done everything she could to try to get housing after falling pregnant last year. Crystal was staying in Mullewa when her son died on July 31, in an overcrowded house of a relative. “We couldn’t even have a cot for him, the only thing I owned was my car, the only thing my son owned of his own was his car seat,” she said. “I honestly believe that things might have been a lot different if we had our own house.” Another baby, who was born premature, died in similar circumstances in Perth just over two weeks later. Homeless Healthcare is a Perth-based not-or-profit service provider which helps un-housed people access medical care, and CEO Alison Sayer said the problems that Crystal and Kenneth’s case laid bare was systematic. “It’s an issue that, if we don’t do anything about it — it won’t go away,” she said. “Some women won’t tell anyone they’re pregnant because they don’t want their babies to be taken away from them. We need to be getting to them in the early stages, trying to get them in housing and provide that support that goes with it.” “Once people’s housing isn’t there, their health deteriorates and becomes less of a priority, especially if you’re a woman who’s pregnant or has young children, you’re going to be focusing on them.” Ms Sayer said the solution was rooted in early intervention and establishing a relationship and trust with women who were otherwise distrusting of the healthcare system. “We need to get to them early, we need to establish that relationship. They talk about the first 1000 days of your life being the most important, those are the most formative and when you have the most brain development.” she said. Housing Minister John Carey said he had been “advised by the Department of Communities that neither of these families were sleeping rough at the time of these tragic deaths and were staying with family members”. A department spokesperson said: “It is important to note homelessness is not a cause of death.” WA Police confirmed both deaths were being treated as non-suspicious and reports were being prepared for the Coroner. Red Nose Grief and Loss 24/7 Support Line 1300 308 307