DANIEL THOMAS - Aged 2 years - Adelaide (Australia) - 17/10/2003

hippy
Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 10:35 am

Adelaide Now

18/3/2008

Missing Toddler Found
DOGS have uncovered human remains, believed to be those of a toddler missing since 2003, at a house in Victoria.

Daniel Thomas, 2, went missing after being left with a babysitter.

Daniel's father Kevin Ruffels, a taxi driver, said today he was shattered by the discovery.

He said police rang him this morning saying a child's bones had been found by a dog at a house in Myrtleford once rented by the boy's mother.

"I'm not too good at the moment," Mr Ruffels said.

"Of course it is (upsetting) but there's nothing confirmed, but they're pretty sure it's a child's body, which will be Daniel's of course."

Babysitter Mandy Martyn had been caring for the toddler while Daniel's mother attended a nursing course in Shepparton.



http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,23395205-911,00.html

pam supportfromireland
Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 10:41 am

Thanks for finding this hippy. It is just so sad. Hope his father gets the news first as promised. Beautiful little child.





Herald Sun

March 18, 2008 12:00am

Little boy lost, a timeline of the Daniel Thomas disappearance in October 2003:

Timeline of Daniel Thomas' disappearance

OCTOBER 15
5.30am Daniel Thomas's mother, Donna Thomas, leaves to attend a parenting course in Shepparton. He is left with friend and babysitter Mandy Martyn, in Standish St, Myrtleford, where they all live.

OCTOBER 17
4pm Local police alerted that Daniel, two, is missing. He has a head bandage "to cover a bump from a fall". Mandy Martyn tells police she discovered Daniel missing after returning from a doctor's appointment in Wangaratta. He was left alone between 12.30pm and 4pm.
4.30pm Police and SES launch search. Helicopter conducts night searches.

OCTOBER 18
8am Search resumes.
4pm Police say no suggestion of foul play.

OCTOBER 19
1pm Daniel's father, Kevin Ruffels, who lives at Whorouly, south of Myrtleford, issues passionate plea for his son. Homicide detectives and forensic police search the Standish St house. Dog squad scours a nearby pine plantation. SES search continues. Mandy Martyn interviewed.

OCTOBER 20
Tearful Donna Thomas pleads: "This is a mother's worst nightmare. Please bring him back to me, so this nightmare can end. I want my baby back." Divers search creeks and dams. Daniel loves the water.

OCTOBER 21
Kevin Ruffels says police have asked family if they have any reason to suspect anyone over Daniel's disappearance. Police and SES search drains.

OCTOBER 22
Noon Donna Thomas interviewed at Myrtleford Police Station, then at Wangaratta. Search becomes murder investigation - detectives say it is almost impossible asthmatic Daniel could have left on his own. Search widened to the Wangaratta rubbish tip, Ovens River and divers search a dam on Myrtleford golf course.

OCTOBER 23
Detectives tell Daniel's parents they do not expect to find him alive. Searches continue at a waste-treatment plant and Nug Nug Caves, an important site for local Aborigines, and mines.

OCTOBER 24
Forensic police search Mandy Martyn's home and take a car to Wangaratta Police Station for more tests. One trapped cat and two dead kittens taken from the home.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/little-boy-lost/story-e6frf7kx-1111115826200

pam supportfromireland
Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 1:50 pm

Sydney Morning Herald

19 March 2008

Childs Bones Discovered under House

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/childs-bones-discovered-under-house/2008/03/18/1205602385210.html



Main: "Person of interest" Mandy Martyn has been questioned over Daniel's disappearance. Top: Daniel Thomas. Bottom: Daniel with his parents.
Photo: Channel Peter Merkesteyn

* Such a sweet little boy, Daniel RIP.

pam supportfromireland
Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 9:59 am

Herald Sun

March 19, 2008 10:29AM

Tears for Daniel Thomas after remains discovered

THE mother of missing toddler Daniel Thomas says she has been through five years of hell and hopes the bones found yesterday are those of her son.

"Unless you have a child missing, no one knows what I'm going through," Donna Thomas said.

"I feel lost, numb, anxious and just hope it's Daniel."

Daniel was in the care of babysitter Mandy Martyn when she reported him missing from her Standish Street home at Myrtleford on October 17, 2003.

Ms Martyn was questioned last year over Daniel's disappearance and police say she remains a person of interest in the case.

Ms Thomas said Ms Martyn used to be her friend.

"I don't have anything to do with her, I haven't seen her or spoken to her since and I don't want to.

(continues)

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/tears-for-daniel-thomas-after-remains-discovered/story-e6frf7jo-1111115832536

The Australian

May 20, 2008 12:00AM

Daniel Thomas' dad finds closure with DNA confirmation

THE father of missing toddler Daniel Thomas says he can now plan a funeral for his son following the grim confirmation that remains found in a Victorian backyard are those of the two-year-old.

Kevin Ruffels said the eight weeks since the remains were found by two dogs in the north-east Victorian town of Myrtleford had been "terrible''.

Homicide detectives confirmed today the bones found buried in the backyard of a house were those of Daniel, who disappeared on October 17, 2003.

(...)

Today, he said the next step in the tragedy was to find out who was responsible for the little boy's death.

"Police have to put the pieces together to finally put the cuffs on who is responsible and hopefully they will be taken away in the next few weeks,'' Mr Ruffels said.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/daniels-dad-finds-closure-in-dna-results/story-e6frg6of-1111116394161

The Age

20 May 2008

BY Mex Cooper

DNA confirms dead boy is Daniel

DNA tests have confirmed that bones found at a Myrtleford house in March are those of missing toddler Daniel Thomas.

Daniel, 2, went missing in October 2003 while under the care of Mandy Martyn, at the time a friend of his mother Donna Thomas.

A tenant of a house in the northern Victorian town, where Ms Thomas was living when her son disappeared, contacted police on March 18 after she found her dogs playing with a small human skull.

Homicide Squad detectives have confirmed that the remains were those of the missing boy, described by his mother as "a lovely child" who adored animals.

A police spokeswoman said Daniel's family had been notified. She said investigations were continuing into the cause of the toddler's death and disposal of his body.

Following the discovery of the remains in March, Detective Senior Sergeant Peter Harrington conceded that police may have missed the bones when the Lawrence Street house was searched five years ago.

No one has been charged over Daniel's disappearance.

Ms Martyn was babysitting Daniel while his mother was attending a parenting course in Shepparton when he was last seen on October 17, 2003.

Ms Martyn told police she had left Daniel alone for at least three hours while she took her own children to a doctor's appointment.

Police have interviewed Ms Martyn three times over Daniel's disappearance and released her without charge.

A police spokeswoman said today a brief that was being prepared for the Coroner would be delayed and that investigations were continuing.

She said at this stage there were no immediate plans for police to interview anyone over the disappearance.

At the time of the discovery of the bones, Ms Thomas said she hoped they were Daniel's so she could put her son to rest.

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/backyard-bones-are-daniels/2008/05/20/1211182782431.html

Sunday Herald Sun

June 07, 2009

Find Daniel Thomas's killer

ON the first anniversary of his burial, police have vowed to solve the murder of Myrtleford toddler Daniel Thomas.

But homicide detectives do not have enough evidence to charge anyone.

Daniel's mother, Donna Thomas, said she believed there was a conspiracy to cover up the boy's death.

She claimed the two-year-old's body was moved five times before it was dug up by a dog at her former home last year, almost five years after he disappeared.

Homicide squad Acting Supt Steve Clark would not say whether police would investigate her claim.

"Victoria Police is committed to investigating and solving this murder," he said.

Acting Supt Clark said the Office of Public Prosecutions had previously determined there was insufficient evidence to charge anyone over Daniel's death.

Ms Thomas claimed the body was moved because she "was stirring things up" in her small town.

She suspected Daniel's body was planted at a house she once rented in Lawrence St, Myrtleford, to implicate her in his disappearance and death in 2003.

Ms Thomas said she was battling depression.

"I am in a very dark place, emotionally shattered and am getting no help," she said.

She accused homicide detectives of failing to keep her "in the loop" as they prepared a brief for the Coroner.

Daniel's remains were found on March 18 last year, after a dog was seen playing with a skull at the Lawrence St property.

Ms Thomas said she would hold a private memorial ceremony and release balloons on June 20, the anniversary of his burial at Albury's Glenmorus Gardens cemetery.

She demanded police interview the three now-teenage children of babysitter Mandy Martyn, the last person to see Daniel alive.

Police arrested Ms Martyn in 2007, but released her without charge.

Ms Martyn refused to comment when approached by the Sunday Herald Sun.

Ms Thomas said she wanted "justice to be served".

"My son's murderer, or those who are hiding them, have to have the guts to come forward," she said.

She said that in the days after Daniel's disappearance her Aboriginal intuition told her his body was not at Ms Martyn's house in Standish St, Myrtleford, or at the Lawrence St house.

Police searched the Lawrence St property, including under the house, where the body was eventually found buried 15cm deep.

Ms Thomas said she believed Daniel was first hidden in a burial plot at the Myrtleford cemetery, where she could feel his spirit.

She said his body was moved to the local golf course, rubbish tip, pine plantation and bush near Slaughteryard Creek before being buried at the Lawrence St house.

"Somebody is trying to frame me," she said.

"I wasn't even there (the day Daniel disappeared)."

She accused police of putting the case in the "too-hard basket".

Acting Supt Clark said: "We understand the emotional impact lengthy investigations have on victims' families. However, this is a complex process and it is important we get it right."

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/find-daniel-thomass-killer/story-0-1225727918984

Herald Sun

June 13, 2008 12:00AM

By Mark Buttler

Funeral feud over Daniel Thomas

AN ugly family feud is stalling the burial of Myrtleford toddler Daniel Thomas.

Almost three months after a dog dragged his bones from under a house, the little boy's remains are still at the Coroner's Court in Melbourne awaiting release.

His parents are locked in a dispute about funeral service arrangements for the two-year-old, and who should be there.

Mother Donna wants a burial at Albury and his father, Kevin Ruffels, says a service should also be held in Myrtleford.

Mr Ruffels said yesterday he had asked the State Coroner to delay release of his son's body until the dispute was settled.

(continues)

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/funeral-feud-over-daniel-thomas/story-e6frf7kx-1111116619376

News.com (au)

June 19, 2008 06:59pm

By Greg Roberts (AAP)

'Threats' won't keep dad from funeral

THE father of murdered Victorian toddler Daniel Thomas says he will attend his son's funeral tomorrow despite threats of violence from his former wife's family.

Kevin Ruffels said the family of Donna Thomas had made it clear he was not welcome at his son's funeral.

Daniel's remains were unearthed beneath a house in the town of Myrtleford, northeast of Melbourne, in March, four years after he disappeared.

"We've had all these problems and they have threatened violence but I will be there," Mr Ruffels said.

"I don't know anything about the arrangements but of course I will be there."

Mr Ruffels, a Myrtleford taxi driver, also revealed he had changed his home and mobile phone numbers because the family had "gone feral" and "threatened to bash my head in".

The funeral will be held in the border city of Albury tomorrow afternoon.

(continues)

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,,23890440-1243,00.html

ABC News

Jun 20, 2008 8:25am AEST


Funeral to be held for toddler, Daniel Thomas

Almost five years after he went missing, Myrtleford toddler Daniel Thomas, will be laid to rest at Albury this afternoon.



http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/06/20/2280484.htm

Herald Sun

June 07, 2009 12:00AM

By Sue Hewitt and David Hastie

Find Daniel Thomas's killer

ON the first anniversary of his burial, police have vowed to solve the murder of Myrtleford toddler Daniel Thomas.

But homicide detectives do not have enough evidence to charge anyone.

Daniel's mother, Donna Thomas, said she believed there was a conspiracy to cover up the boy's death.

She claimed the two-year-old's body was moved five times before it was dug up by a dog at her former home last year, almost five years after he disappeared.

Homicide squad Acting Supt Steve Clark would not say whether police would investigate her claim.

"Victoria Police is committed to investigating and solving this murder," he said.

(Continues)

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/find-daniel-thomass-killer/story-0-1225727918984

ABC

6 April 2010

OPP considers evidence in toddler's death

The investigation into the death of todder, Daniel Thomas in Victoria's north-east, has been referred to Office of Public Prosecutions (OPP).

Two-and-a-half year old Daniel Thomas disappeared from his babysitter's home at Myrtleford, in north-eastern Victoria in October 2003.

Police believe his death is suspicious and carried out an extensive search in nearby bushland in 2007.

They also arrested and questioned his babysitter Mandy Martyn in 2007, but no charges were laid.

The toddler's remains were found under a Myrtleford house the following year.

Police have confirmed a brief of evidence has now gone to the OPP to determine if there is enough evidence to lay charges.

The matter is yet to be referred to the coroner.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/04/06/2865251.htm?site=centralvic

The Age

8 July 2010

Coroner called in over case of dead toddler

THE investigation into the death of Myrtleford toddler Daniel Thomas, who disappeared in 2003, has been passed on to the coroner.

He disappeared in October 2003 while in the care of his babysitter.

In March 2008, his remains were found under a house in which he and his mother, Donna Thomas, lived.


It has been reported that Daniel was the victim of abuse and negligence, including a case where he was admitted to hospital because his eczema had turned septic due to a lack of treatment.

http://www.theage.com.au/national/coroner-called-in-over-case-of-dead-toddler-20100707-100ou.html

Border Mail

10 July 2010

No charges over Daniel’s death

PROSECUTORS have decided there is not enough evidence to lay charges over the death of Myrtleford toddler Daniel Thomas.

The move by the Office of Public Prosecutions follows an examination of material gathered by the Victorian homicide squad over the years since Daniel, 3, disappeared in October 2003 and his body was found in March 2008.

Detectives now plan to hand the brief of evidence to the Coroners Court of Victoria.

A spokeswoman for the court said the coroner would then have to decide if and when an inquest would be held.

Daniel’s mother Donna Thomas has previously told The Border Mail she is hoping to get some answers about her son’s death at an inquest.

http://www.bordermail.com.au/news/local/news/general/no-charges-over-daniels-death/1881799.aspx

The Border Mail

3 February 2012

Daniel file to coroner ‘in mid-year’

A POLICE brief on the death of Myrtleford toddler Daniel Thomas is expected to go to the coroner within months.

Victoria Police say the eight-year investigation remains a high priority.

A spokeswoman for the Victorian Coroners Court yesterday confirmed the inquest would also take priority.

Police media’s acting Sen-Sgt Jo Stafford said they hoped to submit the brief in June-July.

“We are continuing to prepare the inquest brief and aspects of the investigation require specialist review,” she said.

“This is necessary to provide the coroner with the most thorough understanding of what happened to Daniel Thomas.

“Once complete, the brief will be sent to the coroner, before an inquest date is set.

“Victoria Police is confident this process will be completed by mid-year.

“Police understand the frustration the investigation would create for the family, and can ensure the investigation it is a high priority.”

Daniel Thomas would have turned 11 this week.

He disappeared from his home in October, 2003 while being looked after by family friend Mandy Martyn.

His fate was a mystery until dogs dug up his bones in March 2008 at a house his mother, Donna Thomas, once rented.

In 2009, the family was told an inquest was likely to be delayed by the huge workload generated by the Black Saturday fires and almost two years ago, homicide detectives handed their evidence to the Office of Public Prosecutions.

But in July 2010, prosecutors decided there was not enough evidence to lay charges.

Member for Benambra Bill Tilley said he was frustrated with the delays but confident police had not “dropped the ball”.

“It is fair to say that we are all frustrated by the delays,” he said.

“But the coroners court has been inundated with matters related to the Black Saturday fire, while there are several matters in the Daniel Thomas case that I understand have also delayed finalising the brief.

“I’m confident police have never dropped the ball in the bid to find who murdered Daniel and I have full confidence in the expert advice I have been given by those in the field.”

http://www.bordermail.com.au/story/67758/daniel-file-to-coroner-in-mid-year/

The Border Mail

6 July 2012

Daniel’s mum sick of wait

POLICE say the death of Daniel Thomas remains a priority but they can’t say when their brief of evidence will go to the coroner.

But Daniel’s mother Donna says that after nine years, she has had enough of waiting for some action.

“No one will speak to me at homicide,” she said yesterday.

“No one will tell me what is going on.

“Why do we still have to wait nine years after my boy disappeared?

“It’s four years since his body was found.

“We were told this year that the brief would be with the coroner by June or July. Now they say it might be August.

“No one can tell me what happened with the soil samples they took when Daniel’s body was recovered — I’m sick of the excuses.

“It no longer seems like it is important to anyone but us.”

Daniel, who would now be 11, disappeared from his Myrtleford home in October, 2003 while in the care of family friend Mandy Martyn.

His fate remained a mystery until dogs dug up his bones from a grave underneath a Lawrence Street home in March 2008 — a house his mother had once rented.

The family was told in 2009 the huge workload generated by the Black Saturday fires would delay an inquest. Homicide detectives handed their evidence to the public prosecutor almost two years ago.

Prosecutors said in July 2010 there was not enough evidence to lay charges.

In February a police spokesman said the coronial brief would be submitted by the middle of the year. She said aspects of the investigation required specialist review.

Yesterday, a Victoria Police spokeswoman said the brief was still being prepared and repeated that the case remained a priority.

“Once complete, the inquest brief will be sent to the coroner, before an inquest date is set,” she said.

“Police understand the frustration the ongoing investigation would create for the family, and can assure the investigation is a high priority.”

http://www.bordermail.com.au/story/104504/daniels-mum-sick-of-wait/