THE boyfriend of the mother of tragic two-year-old Nikki Francis-Coslovich was on Friday night charged with the child’s murder.

Homicide squad detectives had earlier arrested John Torney, 31, and spent the day questioning him over the mysterious death.

The late-night charge came as it emerged social workers closed the book on little Nikki, 2, just five weeks before she was killed.

A Department of Health and Human Services insider claimed on Friday that the toddler’s file had been closed, despite the continuing concerns of those working with her and the fears of her father, Nick Coslovich.

“Her file was closed five weeks ago and marked ‘no longer at significant risk’,” the source said.

“There were people in the agency who were concerned that the file was closed.

“Several child protection workers were upset (by Nikki’s death),” the insider said.

The DHHS source said that a “substantial” file had been compiled on little Nikki.

The Herald Sun understands that despite his being a regular presence in the house, Mr Torney had not been a main focus of child protection investigations into Nikki’s welfare.

Mr Coslovich and his family say they repeatedly told authorities that they were concerned about Nikki’s safety while she lived with her mother.

Mr Coslovich, who on Friday faced the heartbreaking task of identifying his daughter’s body, said afterwards: “Her forehead’s all bruised and beaten.

“She looks like she’s gone 12 rounds with an actual boxer.

“Her chin looks like it has gravel rash; it’s like she’s been dragged through the place,” Mr Coslovich said.

“Her face looks like a rainbow — it’s purple and pink and brown,” he said.

Mr Coslovich was shown only his daughter’s face at the viewing.

Family members donated money so he could fly to Melbourne to identify her.

He said: “I had to stop myself from tearing the place apart, I’m so angry. It’s exactly everything I’ve been saying.

“Everything I’ve been warning against is right there on her face — I’m so angry that my baby had to pay like that.”

Nikki’s body was found inside the roof cavity of the Mildura rental property where Peta-Ann Francis lived.

Ms Francis reported Nikki missing on Tuesday afternoon, saying she had put her daughter down for a nap but that when she went to check on her the bed was empty.

The Herald Sun understands police found fingerprints on an entrance to a manhole to the roof cavity where Nikki’s body was found.

Mr Torney, who lives two doors down from Ms Francis, had often stayed with her since their relationship began early this year.

A recent investigation by DHHS raised a number of concerns about the state of Ms Francis’s home.

Mr Coslovich told the Herald Sun he and other family members raised concerns, and case workers indicated they would further investigate.

But in July, Mr Coslovich received a letter to say the file had been closed.

The family was referred to an independent family support service.

DHHS media manager Mike Griffin said that under the law he could neither confirm nor deny DHHS involvement with Nikki.

A spokesman for the Minister for Families, Children and Youth Affairs said that the Government was unable to comment on the case.

Mr Torney was remanded in custody at an out-of-sessions hearing on Friday night to appear at Mildura Magistrates’ Court on December 15.

andrea.hamblin@news.com

@AndieHamblin