Police investigating the death of a five-year-old boy in far north Queensland allege he died of catastrophic injuries inflicted by his father.
Jason Ross Allan Fourmile, 24, has been charged with one count each of murder, grievous bodily harm and torture.
He has also been charged with two counts each of assault occasioning bodily harm while armed and assault occasioning bodily harm.
Mr Fourmile's case was mentioned in the Cairns Magistrates Court this morning.
He did not appear in person.
Mr Fourmile has been remanded in custody until his next hearing.
'Catastrophic injuries'
At a media conference Detective Inspector Kevin Goan said an investigation was launched prior to the boy's death after he was airlifted to Townsville University Hospital on August 16 with critical injuries.
"Police from Yarrabah were alerted by Queensland Health that a five-year-old child had presented to the hospital with significant injuries," he said.
"As a result of the notification an incident centre was commenced at the Cairns police facility."
After the boy's death at Townsville University Hospital on Monday, detectives from the Cairns Child Protection Unit and the Criminal Investigation Branch, along with detectives from Brisbane's Child Trauma Unit, arrested and charged Mr Fourmile on Tuesday.
Detective Inspector Goan said police would allege the boy had been subject to a series of assaults "over a protracted period".
"The injuries that cost the young boy his life, we say, occurred on or about the 16th of August," he alleged.
"They were catastrophic injuries.
"They were confronting to the investigators that are dealing with this matter and confronting for the family to have to deal with."
Detective Inspector Goan did not rule out further charges being laid against Mr Fourmile.
"There is still a great body of work to be conducted and at the outcome of those investigations we'll determine what if any charges will be preferred," he said.
Mr Fourmile will next face court on October 12.
Magistrate Terence Browne directed that all evidence for the case be submitted by October 5.
