A Queensland father accused of the manslaughter of his seven-month-old son has been denied bail after a court heard he woke up “laughing” and tried to flee the scene where the baby was found drowned.
Jaye Lee Walton, 42, appeared via video link in Ipswich Magistrates Court on Thursday, facing a charge of manslaughter over the death of his son, Reef Hunter Walton, on July 12.
The court was told Walton, his partner Amy Stevenson, and their infant son were camping overnight at Chatsworth Park near Gympie while travelling home to Innisfail in Far North Queensland. According to police, Walton consumed an entire four-litre cask of wine the night before the tragedy but still cared for his teething son through the night.
Magistrate Robert Walker, reading from the bail affidavit, said the following morning Reef became unsettled during breakfast, and Walton offered to take him to the toilet block to clean him up. When he failed to return after 30 minutes, Ms Stevenson went to look for them.
She allegedly found Walton asleep near the edge of a pond, while baby Reef was face down in the water, about 10 metres from the bank.
“[She] started screaming at you, but realised you were asleep,” Magistrate Walker said. “She entered the water, recovered the child, returned to the bank and commenced CPR.”
Walton was reportedly “smiling or laughing” when he awoke and appeared “oblivious” to the situation. He allegedly fled the scene on foot but returned shortly after due to the actions of bystanders.
Police also allege that Walton refused to provide a breath sample at the scene, despite initially agreeing. The court heard he has a history of alcohol-related traffic offences but no significant criminal record.
Defence lawyer Mark Butler argued the charge amounted to manslaughter by criminal negligence and said there was no evidence Walton had ever harmed his child or come to the attention of Child Safety authorities.
“There is no allegation that my client has been anything other than a loving father,” Mr Butler said, referencing Ms Stevenson’s statement that described Walton as “amazing” with Reef and heavily involved in his care.
However, Magistrate Walker questioned the negligence classification, citing witness claims that Walton was seen throwing the baby into the water.
“One woman told [Ms Stevenson]: ‘The guys were saying they saw him throw him into the water,’” he said.
Police prosecutor Senior Sergeant Michael Read told the court some of the alleged witnesses had not yet been interviewed and that police inquiries were ongoing.
Magistrate Walker ultimately denied bail, citing the risk to others posed by Walton’s drinking and concerns for his mental health. The court heard he allegedly told officers “there’s nothing else left” following Reef’s death and had attempted to harm himself while in custody.
“There is good evidence that if released on bail, you would be a danger to yourself,” Mr Walker said.
Walton is expected to return to court on August 4.
Image: Queensland Police
