System failed Gary Bell’s children
The desperate plight of three children found murdered by their violent father yesterday was known to the NSW Department of Community Services, which gave up on them.
Just days earlier, the children’s father Gary Bell, 44 was released by police on bail after bashing his wife, with the officers notifying the beleaguered department about Jack, 7, Maddie, 5 and Bon, aged just 18 months.
Last night, hours after their tiny bodies and their dead father were found in a 4WD at the family’s home at Pericoe on the Far South Coast, DOCS admitted it failed to reach the family and offered the excuse that staff had tried.
It is believed the children and father had been dead for days. (news)