Police on the scene as the body of missing boy they found in the Murray River is removed on Saturday. Photo / News Corp
Police on the scene as the body of missing boy they found in the Murray River is removed on Saturday. Photo / News Corp
The young boy who escaped his mother's clutches as she allegedly tried to kill him might have survived because of his self defence skills.
The mother has been charged with murder over the alleged drowning of the boy's five-year-old brother.
The boys' father, who can't be named for legal reasons,told news.com.au his surviving nine-year-old son swallowed lots of water when his mother allegedly pushed him under water in the Murray River, near Moama in southern New South Wales, last Thursday.
"He went under the water, so water went onto his lungs," his father said.
The boy managed to break free and run away before a dog attacked him and his mother.
But it was too late for the youngest boy, whose body was found in the river by police divers, on Saturday. The boys' 27-year-old mother, who also can't be named for legal reasons, was today charged with murder of the little boy. Outside court, the woman's lawyer Peter Hebbard said his client was remorseful, the Herald Sun reported.
"The words she used to me was 'I would never hurt my children, I do not know what happened'," he said.
"She knows that something's happened and she knows she's done something."
She was last week charged with attempted murder of the nine-year-old. A court heard on Friday the mother "had to drown my babies".
The eldest son was still in intensive care today but was expected to make a full physical recovery, according to his father. The boy has reportedly had two operations to treat the dog bites. His father has not had any contact with his son since the attack but said he has been talking to friends and family who have.
The dog that reportedly attacked a 9-year-old boy and his mother. Photo / Supplied
"The dog bit him on the legs, torso, the stomach and back," his father said.
"He has to go in for a few more operations and skin grafts."
He said doctors and family members told him his son "sort of knows what's happened but it's still a blur for him".
"All my support is going to that poor kid now," he said.
The boy's father is not a legal guardian of the child and last saw him about five years ago.
"When I was in his life he'd come out with little sayings all the time, humorous little lines like 'bow chicka wow wow'," he said.
"He does karate, self defence... that's how (I suspect) he managed (to survive)."
He never met his youngest son and will no longer have the chance.
