Kobi Shepherdson's father was charged with threatening to kill his infant daughter, and assaulting and imprisoning her mother, months before he killed her in a suspected murder-suicide.
Key points:
- Court documents reveal the violent history of the man who killed baby Kobi Shepherdson
- Henry Shepherdson was charged with threatening to kill his daughter, assault and false imprisonment last year
- He was in prison until early March on those charges until they were dropped last month
Court documents also reveal that SA Police opposed Henry Shepherdson being released on bail due to "a penchance (sic) to firearms" and a history of related violent offending in Western Australia.
Warning: This story contains details that readers may find distressing.
Shepherdson, 38, jumped from the Whispering Wall tourist attraction with his nine-month-old daughter Kobi in a baby carrier on Wednesday at the Barossa Reservoir.
Police said initial investigations revealed a history of domestic violence between him and Kobi's mother and said court cases were ongoing.
He was listed to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on the day of the tragedy.
ABC News: Lincoln Rothall
)Documents reveal charges
On December 16 last year, court documents show Shepherdson was arrested at Largs Bay on two counts of aggravated threatening to kill or endanger life, two aggravated counts of assaulting a child or spouse and a charge of false imprisonment.
The documents state Kobi and her mother were the victims.
Police state that he committed the offences against Kobi knowing that she was a child that he had custody of.
Documents allege he assaulted her mother knowing that she was a person with which he was or was formerly in a relationship with.
Police wrote that Kobi's mother was assaulted before she was prevented from leaving the residence where the offences occurred.
Bail was opposed by police who noted serious concerns, including an "extensive history of violence in WA" with police also saying that he may re-offend if on bail due to his "attitude toward partner".
Supplied: SA Police
)Police were also concerned about the possibility he may "obtain a f/a [firearm] and hurt victim".
Shepherdson was also considered to likely abscond interstate if bailed, with breaches of bail interstate, a "history of violence in WA and SA", a lack of fixed address in SA and connections in WA noted as reasons why.
He did not make an application for bail when he appeared in court on December 17 and was remanded in custody.
Charges dropped
The documents also show that all charges were dropped on March 4 after an appearance in court.
ABC News: Lincoln Rothall
)The court documents do not state who withdrew the charges or why they were dropped.
In a statement, SA Police declined to comment on the charges being dropped, saying it would form part of the report being prepared for the coroner.
South Australian Attorney-General Vickie Chapman said it did not appear that the legal system had failed the family.
"It seems on the face of it, no," she said.
"It seems, on the face of it, that there is a history in relation to current charges that the deceased was facing in the proceeding 24 hours," she said.
"It seems there has been an agreement as to what is to progress and what is to remain in respect to protective orders.
"That's been a decision that's been made, obviously including the now-grieving mother of her baby."
Ms Chapman said she would not pre-empt what recommendations may arise out of the case.
"I won't disrespect this family's grief," she said.
"[Police] will advise the coroner and the coroner will make a decision as to whether there is an inquest."
The case has led to an outpouring of grief across the country, with advocates calling for more to be done to address domestic violence.
Domestic violence support services have also noted an increase in the number of calls being received by men seeking assistance following the tragedy.
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2021-04-23 06:46:20Z
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