A man has admitted to killing an eight-month-old baby and harming another child after neglecting their basic needs for at least one day.
Andrew William Campbell, 45, was set to begin a seven-day trial in Queensland’s Supreme Court today but instead pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Dexter Wilton. Campbell fled from media waiting outside the court before his sentencing.
Dexter’s mother, 38-year-old Natalie Jade Whitehead, had pleaded guilty in October to manslaughter, neglect, and failing to provide necessary care, which led to the baby’s death.
The court heard that Dexter’s death occurred after Whitehead left him alone with another unnamed baby at a unit in Ipswich, west of Brisbane, for at least 21 hours while she took drugs. Crown prosecutor Matt Le Grand told the court that the final hours before Dexter’s death were both physically and emotionally distressing.
Dexter’s body was found by paramedics at a property in Raceview, Ipswich, on June 21, 2019. Campbell is believed to have been living in the unit at the time of the death.
When asked for his plea in the manslaughter case today, Campbell responded, “Guilty, Your Honour.”
Campbell also pleaded guilty to a separate charge of causing harm through a negligent act and failing to provide necessities to another baby between June 16 and June 22, 2019.
Prosecutor Le Grand informed the court that Campbell’s charge of interfering with a corpse would be dropped, as the prosecution decided not to continue with it.
Defense lawyer Damian Walsh requested a delay in sentencing, saying he would submit psychological reports. He also asked for Campbell’s bail to be extended, which was not opposed by the prosecution. Justice Glenn Martin agreed to continue Campbell’s bail and ordered a review of the psychological evidence on March 26.
Whitehead, Dexter’s mother, was sentenced to nine years in prison in October but will be eligible for parole in June after serving three years and nine months in custody.
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