A 76-year-old Queensland woman has been charged with the murder of her autistic son 50 years ago.
Maureen Enright (pictured) was taken into police custody last night, five decades after the disappearance and suspected death of her toddler son, David.
Police launched a homicide investigation into the four-year-old’s death in August after receiving new information about the disappearance of the child.
Ms Enright’s Inala home has been declared a crime scene, with forensic officers, including bone experts, utilising ground-penetrating radar to thoroughly examine the Polaris Street property.
Homicide Detective Inspector Damien Hansen said the missing child, Peter John Enright, was the fourth of Ms Enright’s 11 children.
It’s understood the boy was born in 1965 and was killed at some time between 1968 and 1970.
The Enright family have lived at the Inala property since 1966.
Ms Enright was denied bail and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Damien Hansen of the Homicide Group urged anyone with information to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers.
“Any death of a child is tragedy for all that are involved, Peter was just an innocent child. We are investigating all aspects of his life and care, including family dynamics,” said Det Insp Hansen.
“I urge anyone who lived on Polaris Street in Inala from 1960 – 1970 or had contact with the Enright family or remember Peter to contact police,” he said.
“Any piece of information, no matter how small, can have a significant impact on our investigation.”
