Baylen Pendergast tragically passed away at just 21 months in his home in Tamworth in 2013. Following extensive investigations, a coronial inquest concluded that his injuries were likely not accidental and were caused by significant force from another individual. Despite a decade spent seeking justice by his father, Luke Pendergast, the circumstances surrounding Baylen’s death remain unresolved.
Luke expressed his deep desire for answers, stating, “We’ve got to keep fighting forward… We need to know why he’s not here.” Baylen had lived with his mother, Zoe Merlin, and her partner, Anthony Rogers, while also enjoying time with Luke. In the days leading up to his death, Baylen suffered two separate head injuries. After the first incident, he displayed concerning symptoms, including a large facial bruise and unusual clinginess, yet was reportedly diagnosed with a fall from bed.
Luke’s sister, Amy Pendergast, observed further alarming signs, such as vomiting, prompting her to alert Zoe. However, when they sought medical attention at Tamworth Hospital, a misdiagnosis occurred. Doctors initially found a skull fracture but attributed Baylen’s vomiting to gastrointestinal issues, neglecting the severity of his injuries.
Five days later, Baylen was severely injured again and found unconscious by Zoe’s neighbour, who described him as lifeless. Despite urgent medical care, Baylen’s life support was eventually turned off. The inquest, held five years later, gathered testimony from multiple medical experts, who unanimously agreed Baylen’s injuries were consistent with blunt force trauma, not a simple accident. This led the coroner to suspend the inquest for potential prosecution, believing there was sufficient evidence for charges. However, after further investigation, prosecutors declared there was insufficient evidence to charge either Merlin or Rogers.
Luke described the disappointment of this outcome as a “punch in the gut,” committing to continue the search for justice. Both Merlin and Rogers maintain that Baylen’s death was an accident, and they believe there were inadequate investigations regarding their loss. Thus, the case remains an unsolved mystery, leaving Baylen’s family without closure.
In honour of Baylen’s memory, his family recently visited his grave on what would have been his 13th birthday, releasing balloons to convey their love and remembrance. Luke concluded with a heartfelt message, saying, “We’re still here, thinking of him.”