The New South Wales opposition is calling for an independent review after it emerged that the family of a four-year-old allegedly murdered on the Central Coast was already on the child protection department's radar. Because nothing says 'we've learned our lesson' like waiting for a tragedy to demand a review.

A 32-year-old woman has been charged with murder after police found the body of a preschooler at a home in Wyong. The cause of death? Significant arm injuries. And just to add an extra layer of horror, police are investigating whether cannibalism was involved. Yes, you read that correctly.

The Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) confirmed it had 'previous contact with the family' and is now 'examining all relevant records' - a phrase that tends to surface whenever the system has failed spectacularly.

Supt Chad Gillies of Tuggerah Lakes police described the scene as 'extremely confronting' even for seasoned officers. The woman presented herself at the local police station on Saturday, leading officers to the home where the child's body was found.

Shadow minister for families and communities, Natasha Maclaren-Jones, issued a statement calling for an independent investigation, noting that 'this unthinkable tragedy is unfortunately not the first case where this government has failed to protect our most vulnerable children.' She pointed to workforce shortages, overwhelming caseloads, and gaps in early intervention - issues that somehow never get fixed until after a child dies.

The NSW government announced major reforms to the child protection system last year, following a damning 2024 audit that found the system 'ineffective' and 'unsustainable.' Apparently, 'ineffective' means 'still letting children get murdered.'

The woman appeared in local court on Sunday and didn't apply for bail. She's due back on September 1. Neither she nor the child can be named due to laws protecting children's identities - a small mercy in a story that has none.