Authorities to investigate death by suicide of 10-year-old boy who was under the WA government's care

A 10-year-old Indigenous boy has died by suicide while he was under the care of the Western Australian government.

The boy, who cannot be named, was under the care of the Department of Communities and was being looked after by relatives when he died on Saturday night.

Veteran suicide prevention advocate Gerry Georgatos has been offering support to the boy's family in the wake of the tragedy.

Mr Georgatos said the parents had not seen their son in eight months, and were working towards being reunited with their child.

"The family is beyond distressed, it's indescribable," he said.

"The pain is harrowing, they can't believe they've lost [one of their children] at 10 years of age, they just can't believe it.

"The father described to me that he just collapsed in front of the police, the mother was distraught."

The boy and a number of his siblings were placed into WA government care about two years ago.

In a statement, the Department of Communities said it did not comment on individual cases.

"In keeping with its legal and ethical obligations, Communities does not comment on individual cases, particularly where there is potential or evident risk of identifying one or more children in care," the statement read.

A death under state care will automatically trigger a coronial inquest.

Story by :  Herlyn Kaur

Original story : https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-04-17/wa-authorities-to-investigate-death-by-suicide-of-child-in-care/103737266