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warrant on 11 October to place Dean in the custody of his grandmother. When the order was served on
Pfitzner on 18 October she advised police that Dean was already in the custody of DOCS. When it was subsequently realised that this was not correct police questioned Pfitzner further, leading to her
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on 17 October 2007. The child's body was wrapped in two plastic bags contained within a tartan suitcase. Due to the length of time the child was in the water, the body was decomposed. The local police set up a crime scene which was investigated by NSW Police
Forensic Services Group. The forensic
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her son and thrown him to the ground. Believing him to be dead, she allegedly wrapped him in plastic and placed him in a suitcase. A forensic psychologist testified that the boy may not have been dead at that time. Pfitzner was committed to stand trial and did not enter a plea.
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In June 2009, Pfitzner pleaded guilty to manslaughter and not guilty to murder. In August 2009 she changed her plea to guilty of murder. On 9 December 2009 Pfitzner was sentenced to a maximum of 25½ years in jail. In July 2010 she appealed against the severity of the sentence.
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Many local residents gathered in
Mandurama Reserve in the days following the discovery. An impromptu shrine of flowers and toys developed near the waters edge.
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According to
Pfitzner's estranged father, she had three children, each with a different father. Dean had an older half-sister and a younger half-brother.
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A community ceremony for Dean held on 26 October at
Mandurama Reserve and attended by 2000 people included prayers, balloons and floating candles. As an
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evidence and investigation led to the boy's mother. Police subsequently arrested his mother, Rachel
Pfitzner, who lived in nearby
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his hometown. It was attended by over 300 family, friends and community members. It was held on
Thursday, 1 November.
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229:. The case was adjourned without bail several times to allow police more time to complete their brief of evidence.
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When police escorted
Pfitzner to the scene on 20 October the crowd jeered and surged towards the car.
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25:(25 February 2005 – 11 October 2007) was discovered by children in a pond in Mandurama Reserve at
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Pfitzner appeared in court on 28 October 2008. The court was told she had
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Pfitzner appeared in court on 12 December 2007 via videolink from
661:"Mother killed son on day custody awarded to gran: court hears"
503:"Compassion plea as mother of boy in suitcase faces court"
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are conducting inquiries into the involvement of DOCS.
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322:"Body in suitcase: police charge toddler's mother"
97:Dean Shillingsworth's funeral was conducted in
16:2007 child murder in New South Wales, Australia
609:"Body in suitcase: mother's manslaughter plea"
403:"Where the good times roll children are dying"
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686:"Dean Shillingsworth's mum fights sentence"
635:"Mother pleads guilty to murder of son, 2"
530:"Murder-accused mum 'deserves compassion'"
451:"Mourners pay respects to Shillingsworth'"
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63:arrest. Both DOCS and the New South Wales
552:"Woman faces court over body in suitcase"
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477:"Hundreds attend Shillingsworth funeral"
659:Kontominas, Bellinda (8 October 2009).
425:"Candles and balloons for 'Lake Angel'"
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227:Silverwater Women's Correctional Centre
581:"Body in suitcase: mum to stand trial"
579:Alexander, Harriet (28 October 2008).
405:. New Zealand Herald. 21 November 2007
528:no by-line., AAP (12 December 2007).
267:"The boy for whom help came too late"
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377:"Minister ducks queries on dead boy"
175:Children's names suppressed by court
350:Arlington, Kim (10 December 2009).
607:Alexander, Harriet (5 June 2009).
54:The New South Wales Department of
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633:Brown, Malcolm (18 August 2009).
773:October 2007 events in Australia
85:Australian, Dean was accorded a
768:Child abuse resulting in death
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748:Deaths by person in Australia
122:1981 (age 42–43)
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352:"DOCS failed Dean: report"
171:Dean Shillingsworth (2005)
126:Blacktown, New South Wales
27:Ambarvale, New South Wales
763:Child murder in Australia
738:2007 murders in Australia
586:The Sydney Morning Herald
507:The Sydney Morning Herald
455:The Sydney Morning Herald
429:The Sydney Morning Herald
381:The Sydney Morning Herald
297:The Sydney Morning Herald
271:The Sydney Morning Herald
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155:Paul James Shillingsworth
753:Filicides in Australia
50:Government involvement
690:dailytelegraph.com.au
532:. The West Australian
293:"Fear as body found"
58:(DOCS) had sought a
778:October 2007 crimes
714:Dean Shillingsworth
23:Dean Shillingsworth
509:. 13 December 2007
71:Community reaction
56:Community Services
560:. 6 February 2008
483:. 1 November 2007
457:. 26 October 2007
431:. 23 October 2007
383:. 22 October 2007
328:. 21 October 2007
299:. 18 October 2007
273:. 22 October 2007
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758:Murder in Sydney
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60:Family court
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21:The body of
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733:2007 deaths
536:15 December
513:13 December
487:13 December
409:15 December
361:10 December
727:Categories
665:smh.com.au
639:smh.com.au
613:smh.com.au
592:28 October
461:26 October
435:23 October
387:22 October
356:smh.com.au
332:22 October
303:22 October
277:22 October
245:References
144:Imprisoned
136:Unemployed
133:Occupation
105:Court case
99:Brewarrina
83:Aboriginal
42:Background
36:Rosemeadow
670:8 October
644:18 August
215:25½ years
65:Ombudsman
31:Australia
173:B (2007)
169:T (2000)
166:Children
696:16 July
564:20 June
557:ninemsn
212:Penalty
149:Spouses
93:Funeral
618:5 June
234:shaken
207:Murder
199:Murder
184:Motive
698:2010
672:2009
646:2009
620:2009
594:2008
566:2008
538:2007
515:2007
489:2007
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363:2009
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187:Rage
119:Born
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