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Queensland Police Renew Appeal in Toddler's Death After 'Inconsistencies' Found

Police say new leads emerged following discrepancies in earlier accounts.

Overview

  • Detectives say ongoing inquiries have uncovered inconsistencies in information initially provided to officers.
  • Police report receiving new information and are seeking witnesses who noticed suspicious activity involving a male child near Staaten Street before December 30, 2021.
  • Paramedics found 16-month-old Jaylen Troy Priest critically injured at his Burpengary home on December 30, 2021, and he died on January 8, 2022.
  • Jaylen’s then-33-year-old stepfather, Aaron Harley James, was charged with murder in February 2022, with the charge later downgraded to manslaughter and withdrawn in 2024.
  • Specialist child protection, child trauma and homicide units have led the case, and police previously launched a review that scrutinized how an interview with another child was handled.