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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
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Ryan Fahey

Baby dies from injuries after being cared for by friends as police launch murder enquiry

A murder investigation has been launched after a 17-month-old baby boy died two days after being rushed to hospital.

Ronan Davies was found unconscious with serious head and internal injuries and rushed to Adelaide's Women's and Children's Hospital in Australia on June 7.

He was in intensive care before he tragically passed away.

South Australia Police said he sustained "unsurvivable injuries" while he was being cared for by friends of the parents.

Detective Inspector Mark McEachern said the youngster's injuries were the result of an assault.

A murder investigation has launched into the toddler's death (9News)

"In the two days before Ronan was taken to hospital he was being cared for by friends who are known to his parents, at an address in Ferguson Street, Glenelg North," McEachern told 9News.

"When he was returned to his father's house at Ottoway at 4pm on the Wednesday he was unable to be roused and an ambulance was called."

Ronan's dad shared how he and his fiancée have been unable to sleep since their beloved son and only child was ripped away from them.

The youngster's grandma, who is based in Vietnam, has also shared an emotional tribute to the young infant.

"Grandma's angel rest in peace, even though the time you stayed with your family was not long, everyone loved you so much," she told the Advertiser.

"You were cute, well behaved, innocent and very handsome.

"Now how to remember less suffering, my son, now from sleeping, eating or going anywhere, I see your shadow, why did God take away grandma's Ro, my son?"

Ronan was just 17 months (9News)

The little one's organs have been donated to the save the lives of three other children "who were near death".

"So Ro's departure is meaningful. Your shadow & life still exist in the body of three lucky little ones. You have created happiness for their families," she said.

She ended the tribute saying she would "miss him" and love him "forever".

The investigation is focused on the events that took place at the home of the family friends in the hours before he was returned to his house.

"We have been provided with an explanation as to how Ronan's injuries were caused, we're not satisfied as to the truthfulness of that information and that is certainly subject to our murder investigation now," McEachern said.

Police said his injuries were consistent with assault (9News)

There have been no arrests made in relation to the tragedy, but police are now asking anyone who saw something involving a young child on the afternoon of June 7 to get in touch.

Locals are stunned by what happened and shared their condolences with the family.

Neighbour Georgia Wooley said: "It's a small baby so it's pretty upsetting to be honest."

"You feel sorry for the family and everyone involved," Dylan Ashcroft added.

Police released a picture of Ronan's pram (9News)

Cops have released a photograph of little Ronan's pram, with the hope that it will jog the memory of anyone who had seen him being pushed around on June 6 or June 7.

'We're appealing for anyone who may have knowledge in relation to this matter to contact Crime Stoppers,' Inspector McEachern said.

'That includes who may have seen or heard anything on Ferguson Street or in that vicinity.'

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