Australia AUSTRALIA - 4YO AUGUST (GUS) Missing from rural family home in Outback, Yunta, South Australia, 27th Sept 2025

[linge]

But if there was alleged abuse/neglect,
wouldn't Mum notice it?
There would be signs, no?
And yet
she left both kids under the care of grandmother.
She visited them, helped with farm work and trusted them enough to bring kids there.
Mum is not a suspect.
There is nothing reported that baby R. suffered harm/abuse/neglect.
So why would Gus?

IDK.

JMO

Some kinds of abuse are easier to hide than others.

Also, Jess is their daughter. If one (or both) of them was abusive to Gus, odds are good that Jess would have been abused growing up, too, if not still. What your parents do is your 'normal'; it can take time, distance, and outside perspectives to be able to label whatever you experienced as abuse. Editing to add: This can also be why it can become a cycle.

Growing up, I was friends with a girl with abusive parents. Among other things, her father would beat the kids with a belt, including her 3-year old sister. I was horrified; my friend just thought he was 'strict.'

So if there was the kind of abuse that leaves bruises, it's possible that everyone who would have seen them would have 'understood.' Particularly because, while where I am people tend to strip down as much as they can get away with when it's hot out, I understand that in Australia it's normal to cover up to protect from the sun, long sleeves, long pants. That could cover up a lot of bruises without raising any suspicions from outsiders.

 

[BerylTutu]

It seems they can take a sample without arrest.

Suspect Procedure
Police can obtain DNA samples under the Suspect Procedure where a person is suspected on reasonable grounds of having committed a serious offence. A “serious offence” means any offence that is punishable by imprisonment as a maximum penalty under the legislation and includes summary offences and indictable offences. This can include some driving offences and more serious offences.

WHEN CAN POLICE TAKE A DNA SAMPLE IN SA? -

In 1999 South Australia police began to compile a database of DNA profiles which has grown to over 100,000 assisted by the powers created by the Criminal L

websterslawyers.com.au

Perhaps it is a way of separating the suspects also to give space to another to talk without fear? Especially where 1 suspect may be more physically, emotionally, psychologically powerful than the other?
Just my thoughts and speculation only.

 

[Hexe]

Excuse me, are we even sure the arrested person is one of Gus's grandparents?

 

[linge]

Excuse me, are we even sure the arrested person is one of Gus's grandparents?

Yes, JM was named in later reporting on it as having been arrested, just not initially.

 

[BerylTutu]

I wonder if removing Josie from the property for a few hours could have been to have Shannon alone and cornered (if she’s the suspect) or to have her alone and feeling safe to speak to the police (if Josie is the suspect)?

This was my first thought also…highly likely I think…also very strategic way to build pressure on everyone and hopefully lead to someone speaking. IMO

 

[_sleuthdog_]

Alot of sympathy being expressed for Gus' mum on the thread ATM. Likewise, I can't fathom how the latest developments (suspect )must have added to her grief and sense of terrible, terrible loss. I hope she is supported IRL. Both her and JL.

I do wonder though, how she would feel if she or someone close to her were to read this thread right now, only to be confronted with moo pretty much baseless speculation, unconnected to the known facts regarding Gus' disappearance, concerning CSA. Jmo

There are social media sites and other forums which permit much more speculation and unverified information to be posted . Websleuths is at least moderated and insists on fact based reports.

IMO If you knew any of the family and were reading various theories here about who could be involved it would be a mental juggling act.

 

[_sleuthdog_]

I wonder if removing Josie from the property for a few hours could have been to have Shannon alone and cornered (if she’s the suspect) or to have her alone and feeling safe to speak to the police (if Josie is the suspect)?

That was my initial thought as well - having one grandparent a couple hours away (in Jamestown wasnt it?) leaves quite a lot of time for LE to work with the other grandparent at Oak Park

 

[Ruminations]

I swear I'm not trying to be argumentative, and I know this comment may go for being OT. I just can't help strongly questioning the assumption here a child would certainly be a goner given the remoteness.

How to survive a snake bite — from someone who should know

Christina and her husband have been bitten by snakes five times between them — and they're snake-handling professionals. Here's their inside knowledge about how to survive being bitten by a venomous snake.

www.abc.net.au

"The important thing to know is how to manage the bite — a common trend I've noticed about snakebite deaths in Australia is failure to manage the bite correctly.".

It seems to me, that managing a highly venomous bite correctly is the start of immediate attention.

According to the very qualified professional cited, if the correct first aid is applied immediately and then consistently, an average adult has up to 10 hours to get to hospital for anti venom. Much more detail at link.

Idk, maybe halve that for an average child. With Royal Flying Doctor, an envenomated child could make it, if first aid is applied appropriately. Jmo

A snake bite victim does not remove his own body from his place of death.


MOO