In a tragic case heard in Melbourne Magistrates Court, Benjamin Joseph Swann, 30, is accused of murdering a young boy. The boy’s mother testified that on January 19, 2024, Swann had allegedly approached her after hearing the child’s cries on a baby monitor. She recounted that he entered their home in Werribee holding the infant and made a chilling remark, urging her to "take this f*****g baby before I kill him."
According to the mother, she attempted to soothe the baby until Swann returned with a bottle, at which point the child appeared normal. However, her alarm grew when she noticed the infant was wheezing and had changed colour. Despite her insistence to call for help, Swann reportedly advised her to delay contacting emergency services. He then carried out CPR until paramedics arrived.
The child was rushed to Werribee Mercy Hospital, where a pediatric registrar noted he was struggling to breathe and displaying serious signs of distress, including a cold touch and minor bleeding in his eyes. Unfortunately, the child was later transferred to the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, where doctors confirmed that his brain injuries were non-survivable.
While the mother initially did not report Swann’s alarming comments or the noise she heard prior to the incident in her first police statement, she later clarified that she only disclosed these details after authorities indicated they believed the death was intentional. She expressed disbelief that someone she loved could commit such a horrific act, stating, “It was not something that I wanted to say to anyone lightly.” Additionally, she mentioned that Swann had made similar frightening remarks in the past.
Earlier in January 2024, police had also visited their home due to allegations that Swann choked the mother until she lost consciousness. Swann has denied these claims of family violence. Following the proceedings, Magistrate Abigail Burchill determined there was adequate evidence for the case to proceed to trial in the Victorian Supreme Court, where Swann has entered formal pleas of not guilty to charges of murder and child homicide.
Swann’s next appearance is scheduled for a directions hearing on March 19, 2024. Support services are available for those affected by domestic violence, including 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) and Lifeline at 13 11 14.