Lawyer of Perth parents accused of tricking their kids into thinking they were sick files for case dismissal

The defence lawyer of Perth parents accused of tricking their three children and doctors into thinking they were sick have threatened to file for the case to be dismissed. The mother and father were charged when doctors and police discovered their children had a history of life-long medical conditions and invisible illnesses that did not stack up. The pair — who cannot be named because of a court order protecting their children’s identities — first appeared at the Perth Magistrate Court last year. It was disclosed that the children were prescribed drugs they did not need and went through unnecessary surgeries until pain specialists at Perth Children’s Hospital raised their suspicions, calling in the child abuse squad. Police said because of “unnecessary medical interventions and medications” pursued by the parents, their children “have been prevented from living a normal, healthy life”. The case was today revealed to be the first of its kind in WA. However the parents’ lawyer said he would file to have it dismissed after prosecutors have had the case adjourned three times since it was brought to court 11 months ago. “This is a particularly complex and document-heavy (case),” the prosecutor said. “(It) needs further time to evaluate the evidence and the charges.” The pair are currently each charged with one count of engaging in conduct that was reckless and may have resulted in their child suffering, but the prosecutor said there needs to be a charge for every one of the three children — requesting another month-long adjournment. The parents’ lawyer, who appeared in court via phone-link, agreed there was “a challenge in the way the charges have been particularised” but strongly opposed the adjournment. “The DPP has had at least four months during which they could have detailed (this),” he told the court. “(The case) involves three kids who have been taken out of the care of their parents for 11 months. “In the meantime there are children’s court proceedings which are stagnant.” The court was told the defence council were not in the position to take instructions for a plea from their clients due to the charges not being finalised and asked the Magistrate to set the prosecution a “deadline”, which if not met, would be followed by a case dismissal. The Magistrate agreed to the prosecution’s adjournment request, however said he would hear the defence council’s application to have the case dismissed if they did not finalise the charges by February 5. The court was told the parents were banned from contacting their children, unless authorised and supervised by child protection authorities. They are due back in court for a committal hearing on February 12.