Darcey Iris Freeman
February 11, 2004 - February 29, 2009
Did a handwritten note left on the television by Arthur
Freeman tell of something bad to come:
"You have a big fight on your hands and by
no stretch of the imagination will it be easy"
Arthur was in the middle of a custody battle with
his estranged wife, Peta. The battle had been going on for over two years.
Darcey Freeman woke up on what would be her first
day of school. The night before her first day of school, Darcey's father
had taken her and her two brothers to a beach house to get out of the heat.
Darcey told her father she didn't want to be late for her first day of
school, he promised her she wouldn't be. He didn't keep his promise.
On January 29, 2009, Darcey and her two brothers
got into the car to go to school. While driving, their father pulled over
on the West Gate Bridge, unbuckled Darcey, took her out of the car and
walked to the side of the bridge where people who were traveling in the
busy morning traffic were horrified to witness him lower her over the edge
and drop her, 190 feet into the water below.
On what should have been her first day of school,
Darcey found herself being thrown off of a bridge. Darcey would never get
to play on the playground, never get to make new friends, never pick a
favorite teacher or experience all of the things a child going to her first
day of school should experience.
Witnesses were shocked and many called "000" which
would send rescues teams into the water to get her. Darcey was pulled out
of the water and for over 50 minutes, paramedics and police worked to try
to save her. She was then transported to Children's Hospital, by helicopter.
Ambulance Victoria paramedics team manger Trevor
Weston was involved in the rescue attempt and said
things were not easy that morning:
"Anything that involves children takes its
toll on paramedics. Fortunately it's not a very
regular occurrence but when it does (happen)
it really does hit home"
Detective Inspector Steve Clark, from the Victoria
Police homicide squad, said that it had been reported that witnesses wouldn't
have had enough time to stop Arthur:
"It's all happened fairly quickly, as I understand
it, nobody had the opportunity. He's got straight
out of the car, taken the young girl and walked
to the edge of the bridge"
Detective Inspector Clark
While rescuers were working on Darcey, Arthur Freeman
was on his way to the nearest law court where he turned himself in and
was arrested. He only spoke in order to ask that someone look after his
sons, Benjamin who was seven and Jack who was two, he gave them license
plate number of his vehicle where the boys were. It was
reported that Arthur was so incoherent that Benjamin
had to step in and give information to the police.
"He was pretty down and he had the two other
children with him and he tried to enter the court.
He couldn't talk to anyone, he wouldn't talk
to anyone, he was just a mess"
Vince Mascia
Arthur was put into a prison cell and was put on
suicide watch. Peta had already phone the police when she learned that
her children had not made it to school that morning. It was then that she
learned what had happened to her daughter and she was by Darcey's side
when she died.
Arthur was charged with murder in the death of his
daughter. The officers and paramedics involved in the rescue attempt were
being given counseling. Steve Clark, a detective inspector in Melbourne's
homicide squad had this to say:
"Often you think you've seen it all –
and you haven't"
Darcey's family said that she was a beautiful, carefree,
spirited child who loved to sing and dance. Darcey's uncle, Tim Barnes
spoke of her will and determination and said that a sense of loss of emptiness
has gripped the family and all who knew her:
"She knew her own mind and was prepared to
always stand up for what she believed in.
One memory that stands out in my mind was
her choice of clothes. She would wear what
she wanted to wear, end of story - even if
it meant wearing pink Wellington boots to tennis"
"She's given us a lot of fun. She was into
everything. She will never be forgotten.
She had an effect on everybody"
Joe Barnes - Darcey's uncle
Both of Darcey's uncles said that there had been
an overwhelming response from people around the world and that they hope
the death of Darcey would remind parents how precious and irreplaceable
their children are. Maternal relatives traveled from Western Australia
to support Peta and help with funeral arrangements.
Arthur Phillip Freeman, who was 35 at the time, was
in an acute psychiatric state and did not appear in court when he was charged
with the murder of his daughter. Elanor Peattie, his lawyer said that she
had been unable to get any details from him as for his wishes in court,
however he had allowed her to be in court for him.
Police Detective Acting Sergeant Damian Jackson,
who works with the homicide squad, stated that an assisting medical officer
had found Arthur to be in the acute psychiatric state and found him to
be unfit to interview.
Flowers and a bear were left at the site where Darcey
was thrown off of the bridge.
Darcey's friends remembered her in tributes:
"Darcey, you were so proud of all your achievements"
staff from a Hawthorn kinder
"You were such a spirited child who always
loved playing
chasey with the boys"
"Words cannot adequately express how much we
will miss our high-spirited, energetic little playmate"
Erica, Richard, Paul and Charlotte
"Thank you for sharing your short life with
us, we have been touched in so many ways by you. Rest assured that your
memory will live on in our hearts."
"All my love, Darcey. In my heart"
Darcey's former kinder teacher, Jacqui Brouwers
Plans were put into place to have a carnival at Williamstown
to honor Darcey. Money would be raised to help the Freeman family:
"I've spoken to a family representative and
they support the idea of a carnival. It will be a
family event, that kids will want to come
along to"
Organizer Prue Waters-Day
Darcey's Uncle, Tim Barnes, gave a 3:39 video taped
statement:
"It is with great sadness that we sit here
representing our family following the tragic loss of our beautiful young
girl, Darcey. We would like to say on behalf of our sister, two boys and
our family, that we all feel an extreme sense of loss and emptiness.
We are in deep mourning over this tragive event.
We are fortunate to have the support of our family and friends to help
us through these trying times. We will never understand the reasons why
or how any individual could ever do such an act to such a precious little
girl.
Sometimes thing in life are just not fair.
Darcey had a very determined nature, she displayed a very strong will and
stood up for everything she believed in. She loved both of her brothers
and particularly adored her older brother Ben. She had a passion for music,
inparticular "Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport" was one of her favorite songs.
Darcey thorougly enjoyed playing with her brothers
and cousins. She could spend hours playing on the trampoline with everyone.
The family must now begin to look to the future.
We will strive to provide the best possible care for Peta and Darcey's
two brothers Ben and Jack. There are still many issues to be resolved and
we are working through them, keeping the needs of the two boys at the forefront
of our decisions.
Our family has been overwhelmed by the public
support shown to us from around the world. We wish to thank the public
for their heartfelt sympathy and well wishes. We would also like to take
this opportunity to specifically thank the Victorian Police and the staff
at the Royal Children's Hospital. Every single person involved has been
simply wonderful. Words cannot express our appreciation for the wonderful
care given to Darcey during her final hours.
For the past two years, the various authorities
have been made aware of fear for the safety of the children and unfortunately,
no one would listen. We feel the judicial system has failed our family
and will continue to fail other families until someone in authority starts
to take action.
Our family has discussed some of the issues
that have been noted in the media. Inparticular the reference to the publics
desire to hold a memorial service in memory of Darcey. We are in favor
of an event being held at a park where children have the opportunity to
embrace life and enjoy activites
whilst having fun with their families.
Our family has also agreed that would we love
to see a day dedicated to honor all children taken from us too early in
their lives. Our desire is for this to be a celebration where families
rejoice together through fun and laughter.
Moving forward from here, we would like the
media to respect our need and desire for privacy and to leave us to deal
with all of lifes future challenges as they arrive. We understand the publics
desire for information and connection, however, we value our privacy greatly.
The ongoing care and developement of Ben and Jack is paramount to us and
privacy will assist us greatly with this.
We will be holding a private ceremony for Darcey
and request that our privacy be respected. We are starting to look to the
future and once again we express our deepest gratitude. We thank everyone
for their wonderful support."
In May of 2009, it was reported that Arthur was going
to contest the charge of murder against him for throwing his daughter off
of the bridge. The Melbourne Magistrates Court was notified that Arthur
would face a three day contested committal hearing in October. At that
time, 16 witnesses would be cross examined by Arthur's lawyer.
Arthur appeared through a video link from prison
and sat almost completely still the entire time only speaking to say that
he could hear and see the proceedings answering when asked:
"Yes I can"
The day after the trial, Peta said that she and her
son would NOT be appearing in court for the contested committal
hearing. Most of the 16 witnesses would be police officers who were working
the scene or other witnesses to what had happened.
Darcey's Song
Darcey lives beyond the clouds now
she'll always be looking down below
today Heaven gained an Angel
She never said goodbye
she can't say mama don't cry
It'll be okay
see you some day
Even though she's not there
she can see your face
so don't be afraid
Heaven's a safer place
No she never got to go school
no she never got to make her first best friend
no she never got to go to high school
she never got to make her first boyfriend
She never said goodbye
she can't say mama don't cry
It'll be okay
see you some day
Even though she's not there
she can see your face
so don't be afraid
Heaven's a safer place
Darcey lives beyond the clouds now
she'll always be looking down below
today Heaven gained an Angel
Sung By: Jessica-Jade Bruce
Read
news stories about this tragedy
For information about preventing child abuse in
Australia click below. If they can't help you, ask for someone who can.
NEVER give up looking for help for an abused child!
Call this number
to report child abuse ANY WHERE in the United States!
1-800-4-A-Child
1-800-422-4453
   
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