Ex-staff member testifies at inquest into teen's death in dumpster

A former supervisor at an Indigenous outreach program

A former supervisor at an Indigenous outreach program testified at an inquiry into the death of a 13-year-old boy that she perceived constant criticism from police and child welfare officials, who she felt were accusing her of failing to properly oversee youth in the rural South Australian town.

The testimony came during the inquest into the tragic incident where the teenager was found dead inside a large waste container. The former staff member, who managed the support service, expressed that she believed authorities were unfairly targeting her and her team, suggesting they were not adequately fulfilling their duties regarding at-risk children in the area.

She acknowledged the challenges of working with vulnerab…

She acknowledged the challenges of working with vulnerable youth, noting that resources were often limited and the demands were high. The former manager described a sense of being overwhelmed by the scrutiny from law enforcement and child protection services, which she felt was more about assigning blame than finding solutions.

The inquest continues to hear from witnesses, with the aim of uncovering the circumstances that led to the boy's death and identifying any systemic failures that may have contributed to the tragedy. The family has permitted the use of the boy's name and image in reports, respecting cultural protocols for the deceased.