An infant aged eight months tragically passed away under shocking conditions, leaving authorities and medical responders stunned by the deplorable state of the residence where he was discovered.
The child, identified as Dexter Wilton, was found following an anguished emergency call made by Natalie Jade Whitehead, Dexter’s mother, who expressed that her baby was unresponsive.
Upon reaching the scene approximately 12 minutes later, law enforcement officers were appalled by the unsanitary conditions inside Whitehead’s home. Reports indicated that animal waste was widespread, and the kitchen was cluttered with unwashed dishes, food remnants, and animal feed.
The room where Dexter slept was chaotic, with two cribs present, one serving as storage, and soiled diapers and baby garments strewn around.
Within his sleeping area, an empty baby bottle and a sheet stained with unidentified substances were discovered, suspected to be vomit.
Whitehead was found lying on a mattress, holding Dexter close and weeping. Investigations revealed that the baby had been deceased for a considerable period, as it had been 21 hours since Whitehead and her then-partner, Andrew William Campbell, had checked on him.
Subsequently, both Whitehead and Campbell admitted to the manslaughter of Dexter following a police inquiry, along with charges of neglect and causing harm through their actions.
Whitehead received a nine-year prison sentence in October of the previous year, becoming eligible for parole in June 2025 after serving three years and nine months in detention. Campbell was sentenced to eight-and-a-half years for Dexter’s manslaughter in 2019, with parole eligibility set for September 2026.
During Campbell’s court proceedings, Supreme Court Justice Catherine Muir described the distressing conditions discovered by authorities in the Raceview area of Australia, where Dexter tragically lost his life.
It was disclosed that Dexter had been placed in his crib the previous night with only a bottle of milk, with the room heated and the door shut. Whitehead and Campbell neglected to check on him until 5 pm the next day, spending the intervening time consuming drugs at home.
Apart from the unsanitary conditions throughout the house, the kitchen was found to have a severe lack of food supplies.
The court learned that a plastic bathtub containing used cleaning materials was found in the bathroom, along with a heavily soiled diaper. Unfortunately, instead of seeking immediate help when Dexter was unresponsive, he was bathed and given a fresh diaper.
Campbell disposed of dirty baby clothes and drug-related paraphernalia in a neighbor’s bin, instructing them not to inform the authorities. He then brought more drug-related items to the house, urging the neighbor once again to keep it a secret.
Tragically, just days before his passing, Dexter was described as cheerful, bright, and well-nourished while staying with relatives in Tara. Upon his return to Whitehead and Campbell’s care, he had developed severe nappy rash, which improved while under his family’s supervision.
A post-mortem examination during Campbell’s trial revealed severe neglect of Dexter’s basic needs, leading to malnutrition and dehydration. Although physical injuries were minimal, Dexter exhibited signs of neglect, including sunken eyes and extensive nappy rash.
Justice Muir stated that various illicit substances were detected in Dexter’s system, emphasizing the failure to provide adequate care due to drug consumption.
The court concluded that Dexter’s death resulted from neglect rather than intentional harm, highlighting the responsibility to provide essential care, especially in a parental role.
