DOCS 'did act before two-year-old died'

By ninemsn staff and wires

Child welfare workers say they responded to warnings about the baby boy who was found dead in a suitcase shortly before he was killed.

Action was taken by the Department of Community Services (DOCS) after receiving notification of the family now embroiled in a murder case, NSW Community Services Minister Kevin Greene says.

"DOCS did receive a call to its helpline. And the call was assessed and there was some action taken," Mr Greene told Southern Cross Broadcasting.

He said he could not expand on what action had been taken because of the court case and the ongoing police investigation.

"Sadly, there is no perfect child protection system in the world but we want to do the best we can to continue to improve the child protection system that we have in NSW."

Earlier it was reported the body of the murdered infant, which was stuffed into a suitcase, may have been shaken to death.

It is believed the trauma may have occurred up to 10 days ago.

The disturbing news emerged as Dean's paternal grandmother revealed she made a desperate visit to Campbelltown police station last Thursday to raise concerns about the boy's welfare.

Ann Coffey said she had been Dean's primary carer while living in Tamworth, in north-eastern NSW, until June 7 when she left him with his mother for a pre-arranged visit, News Limited reports.

Ms Coffey said through a family spokeswoman that she sat inside the southwestern Sydney police station worried about Dean's welfare after he failed to return from the visit.

The grandmother even watched the suitcase, which carried Dean's naked body, brought into the police station, the family spokeswoman said.

When a police officer drove Ms Coffey around to the Rosemeadow home occupied by Dean's mother and her boyfriend, a young man answered the door and said Dean had been taken by child welfare authorities, the spokeswoman said.

It is alleged Dean's body was hidden in the house, in Pindarus Way, for six days before being dumped in the duck pond at Mandurama Reserve, in Ambarvale.

Pfitzner has been remanded in custody and is due to face Campbelltown Local Court on December 12.

She was jeered and abused when police took her to the pond where two young boys discovered the toddler's body in a tartan suitcase last Wednesday.

NSW Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell said it was a scandal that nothing was done after DOCS was contacted.

"Kevin Greene, the Iemma government, need to hang their heads in shame," he said.

Emotional response

Floral tributes, cards, poems and candles continued to amass around the Ambarvale pond and tears flowed from mourners, most of them strangers to the boy's family.

Rosemeadow mother of four boys Sharon Maycock said she had made three visits to the pond every day since the discovery.

"It's just got me. I stood here crying ... it's like part of me is here now," she said.

"Why did she do it? There must be a reason."

Rosemeadow resident Brenda Foreman, 71, said the community would take a long time to recover from the tragedy.

"Police brought her to the scene (Saturday) night and the residents heckling and abusing her," Ms Foreman said.

"They were shouting and threatening her."

The Reverend David Cole from Rosemeadow Anglican church said the main question people were asking him was why she did it.

"I have been telling people sin and evil exist in this world and at times we get to see it very clearly ... but God conquers this," he said.

Mr Cole said one parishioner had offered a burial plot at a cemetery to ensure a proper funeral.

Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione said officers worked around the clock on the case.

Mr Scipione said police were still talking with a 29-year-old man in relation to the boy's death.

The community surrounding the Ambarvale pond will gather on Wednesday night for a candlelight vigil and memorial service.