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MELBOURNE - As harsh as it may seem, abandoning three-year-old Qian Xun Xue at Melbourne's Southern Cross railway station may have saved her from further trauma and possibly saved her life, experts say.
Qian Xun Xue, whose father deserted her at the railway station last Saturday, may have
been exposed to frightening episodes of domestic violence for at least 12 months, it has emerged.
New Zealand police say her father Nai Yin Xue, 54, was known to police after a history of domestic violence incidents involving the girl's mother Anan Liu, who was found dead in her husband's car boot on Wednesday.
Xue walked away from his daughter at the Melbourne station before flying to the United States on a New Zealand passport.
Xue is wanted on suspicion for murder, as US authorities step up their search for him.
He was estranged from Ms Liu, who was also known as Annie Xue.
Qian Xun, dubbed "Pumpkin" by Melbourne police because of the Pumpkin Patch-brand vest she was wearing when found by security guards, remains in foster care.
Victoria's Department of Human Services (DHS) is talking with New Zealand's Child Youth and Family Department to determine the best care for Qian Xun, including her reunion with family and friends.
Her grandmother, Liu Xiao Ping, will leave China soon to reunite with her, most likely in New Zealand where Qian Xun is a citizen.
Melbourne child welfare and psychology experts say Xue's actions reflect a man who was desperate, possibly depressed.
Professor Chris Goddard, director of the National Research Centre for the Prevention of Child Abuse, said that while it was a traumatic experience, it was better that Qian Xun was abandoned to prevent exposure to abusive behaviour.
"My immediate response, sadly, has been that I am pleased the daughter was abandoned," Professor Goddard said.
"For her, it's terrible circumstances - it's better to be abandoned, rather than to be physically harmed."
Prof Goddard said there was no doubt that Qian Xun would have suffered trauma as a result of being abandoned and being exposed to a violent home environment.
"Children are forced to live with domestic violence - they have no choice," he said.
Prof Goddard said therapeutic foster care, after careful assessment of her needs and her traumatic experiences, was best for Qian Xun at this early stage.
Associate Professor Michael Baigent, clinical adviser for anti-depression group beyondblue (beyondblue), said many people would immediately ask the question: "How could you leave your child?"
Prof Baigent said depression was an illness that clouded people's judgment and decision-making.
"If you are depressed, severely depressed, you can certainly see things in a jaded way," he said.
"A depressed person may have a different version of the world and themselves. People may see themselves as a burden on the world and that it would be a better life if they weren't in it."
Prof Baigent said depressed people could do things they later regretted because they were not thinking clearly.
Dr Karen Weiss, Victorian regional manager of Relationships Australia, said the case was an unusual one that had rocked families across Australia.
"It's a very unusual scenario and it's pretty shocking for the community," Dr Weiss said.
"To liberate a child (from an unsafe environment) is what is good for the child."
Dr Weiss said that by abandoning Qian Xun, her father had "deep down, feared for the girl's well-being".
"It could be that the person is experiencing depression, or depressed with an illness or dying or they may have no family," Dr Weiss said.
"Of course (to abandon a child), it's not a solution."
Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare chief executive Coleen Clare said it was fortunate that Qian Xun had fallen into the safe hands of Victoria's Department of Human Services, so that her immediate needs were met in a supportive environment.
"Her future is very unclear, whether she will be with her extended family or within her own culture," Ms Clare said.
"She has the love and support with experienced carers - they are acting in the best interests until police and the jurisdiction sort out these matters."
- AAP