A South African man who allegedly abused his young son appeared in Brisbane Magistrate Court in Australia.
- Reinhardt Bosch, a South African citizen based in Australia, and his wife appeared in court last week for the murder and torture of their seven-month-old son.
- The couple reportedly called paramedics a day after their son had already died.
- Kelly Cousins, a family friend, started a crowdfunding page to raise money for the baby’s burial.
A South African national and his German wife are accused of killing their seven-month-old son in Australia, according to reports.
According to the Daily Mail, Rhuan Immanuel was the son of Reinhardt Bosch, born in Pretoria and based in Australia, and his wife, Noemi Kondacs.
Supposedly paramedics were only called a day after the baby died. He was pronounced dead last Wednesday.
The couple, aged 33 and 22, lived in a rented house in Yugar, north of Brisbane. They appeared virtually at Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday. Each faces charges of murder and torture.
Queensland Police alleged that Bosch seriously injured the baby before he and Kondacs prayed for her recovery, the publication reported.
Bosch faces an additional charge of assault and inflicting bodily damage.
Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll was quoted in the Brisbane Times as describing the scene as the most “horrendous and confrontational” a police officer could face.
The publication reported that the bruises on the boy’s body were enough for authorities to charge the couple with murder.
According to the report, Bosch had worked as a youth caretaker.
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A family friend launched a crowdfunding page to raise money for the baby’s burial.
Kelly Cousins said on the page that she was “a friend of baby Rhuan.”
“I am calling on the community to help honor this beautiful boy who deserved so much better.
“Hearts are broken everywhere for what happened to Rhuan, but maybe we can find some peace by making sure he is remembered in a beautiful way,” she wrote.
Cousins has raised $4,150 (R71,500) to date.
He urged parents to hold their children and seek help if they needed it.
The case was reportedly adjourned until December 5 because the trial court does not have jurisdiction to hear bail applications in murder cases.
