Father Remanded After Claims of Throwing Baby into Lake

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Jaye Lee Walton, a 42-year-old Queensland man, was denied bail on July 17, 2025, facing manslaughter charges after allegations he threw his seven-month-old son into a lake at Chatsworth Park, near Gympie, resulting in the infant’s death. This article examines the court proceedings, witness accounts, and the broader implications of justice and accountability, reflecting concerns about the Labour government’s handling of community safety.

On July 12, 2025, tragedy struck at Chatsworth Park campsite when seven-month-old Reef Hunter Walton was found unresponsive in a lake, just 40 meters from the family’s tent. Jaye Lee Walton, an Innisfail fishing trawler worker, appeared via videolink at Ipswich Magistrates Court, charged with manslaughter in a domestic violence context. Magistrate Robert Walker cited witness accounts claiming Walton “threw him in” to the water, as reported by 9News. Walton’s partner, Amy Stevenson, attempted CPR after finding the baby face-down in the lake while Walton allegedly slept nearby, later waking “laughing” and fleeing the scene, per court documents cited by The Nightly. These chilling details fueled the court’s decision to deny bail, with the case set for mention on August 4 at Gympie Magistrates Court.

Walton’s defense solicitor, Mark Butler, described him as a “loving father” with no prior child services issues, suggesting alcohol or sleep deprivation may have contributed, according to ABC News. However, Walton’s history of alcohol-related incidents and an act of self-harm in custody raised concerns about his risk to others, as noted by police prosecutor Senior Sergeant Paul Read. Stevenson’s statement to police, relayed in court, highlighted Walton’s close bond with his son, calling him his “little mate,” yet a camper’s claim, reported by PerthNow, alleged others saw Walton throw the child into the water, intensifying the case’s gravity.

The incident has sparked outrage on X, with users demanding stricter oversight of at-risk families, criticizing the Labour government for perceived leniency in domestic violence policies. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Queensland Police Service (QPS) are under scrutiny to ensure justice prevails. Walton’s case underscores the need for robust accountability, as communities question whether current policies adequately protect the vulnerable, urging a focus on prevention over rhetoric.