Woman, now 38, accused of killing baby boy when she was 14 and 55-year-old man now faces charges of historic child sexual abuse

This article is more than 11 months old

This article is more than 11 months old

Police investigating the death of a newborn baby in 1995 have charged a Queensland man with raping the baby’s 14-year-old mother.

The boy’s body was found in a caravan park in Kambalda, a mining town 60km south of Kalgoorlie, on 12 July 1995. Police believe it was discovered soon after his birth.

Last month a 38-year-old Victorian woman, believed to be the mother, was charged with his murder.

The woman was 14 when the boy was born, and 13 when he was conceived.

Woman accused of murdering newborn in Western Australia when she was 14 Read more

On Thursday police from Western Australia extradited a 55-year-old man from Queensland on charges of historic child sexual abuse.

WA police said the young age of the mother at the time of the birth prompted officers from the cold case homicide squad to conduct a separate investigation “into the circumstances surrounding the conception of the child”.

“It will be alleged the man, who was known to the victim at the time, sexually assaulted the then 13-year-old girl, resulting in the baby being conceived,” police said.

“It will be further alleged the man engaged in unlawful sexual conduct with the victim over a number of years when the victim was aged between 11 years old and 16 years old.”

The man has been charged with two counts of sexually penetrating a child under the age of 13, sexually penetrating a child between the ages of 13 and 16, and two counts of sexually penetrating a child over the age of 16 who was under their authority. He has also been charged with having a sexual relationship with a child under the age of 16.

The man was scheduled to appear in Perth magistrates court on Thursday.

If this story has raised any issues for you, you can contact one of the following organisations: Bravehearts Inc - 1800 272 831

Counselling and support for survivors, child protection advocacy. 1800 Respect - Call 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800respect.org.au. 24-hour telephone and online crisis support for anyone in Australia who has experienced or been affected by sexual assault, or domestic or family violence. Lifeline - Call 13 11 14 or visit www.lifeline.org.au. 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention.