Please find below statements in relation to findings from the Coronial Inquest into the passing of Baby L.

Mother of Baby L

“I have spent over five years waiting for answers about why my daughter passed away. I feel disappointed and heartbroken that the Coroner didn’t give me that closure. The grief only gets harder when you don’t have answers.”

“Living on the border, we should have had support from child protection in New South Wales and Victoria – but my daughter was failed by both of them.”

“All of the authorities behaved with such a lack of care and humanity when my daughter died and in the days and months after.”

“Even though nothing can bring her back, my daughter deserves justice. No mother should ever lose their baby.”

Nerita Waight, CEO of VALS:

“We have seen far too many deaths of children who have been pushed into Victoria’s broken child protection system. No mother should have to lose their child, particularly when they are supposed to be in the care of the state.”

“VALS will continue to fight alongside the families and loved ones of children like Baby L to ensure that systems are held accountable for their actions, or lack thereof. We will also continue to push towards a self-determined child protection system as recommended by Yoorrook.”