A MOTHER and stepfather are alleged to have endangered the life of their eight-year-old son by refusing to give him food as well as detaining him so authorities did not become involved and attend their property where cannabis plants were being grown.
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Charges against a 26-year-old woman and 28-year-old man, both from Tilbaroo Road, Elands, and another three people who it is alleged were involved in the cultivation of a large commercial quantity of cannabis at a property at Elands last year, among other allegations, were presented before magistrate Mr Shaughan McCosker in Taree Local Court yesterday, February 2.
Also charged are Drew Anthony Torronen, 32, from Tilbaroo Road, Elands, Jacob David Potter, 19, from Oban Street, Coolah and Veronika Barto, 25, from Bradys Gully Road, North Gosford.
All five are alleged to have cultivated or knowingly taken part in cultivating 225 cannabis plants (large commercial quantity) between March 1 and December 18, 2015, with the 26-year-old woman, the 28-year-old man, Torronen and Jacob Potter additionally charged with exposing children on the property to those drugs.
The 26-year-old woman, the 28-year-old man and Torronen are charged with detaining the eight-year-old boy to obtain advantage between November 1 and December 18.
The court papers allege the mother did so to ensure authorities would not attend the home address if the alleged incident was reported, to ensure she kept all family members on side and the victim was kept away from the other children.
The 28-year-old was alleged to have done the same by keeping him away from the other children and to ensure authorities were not involved and attend the property where they reside.
They both also allegedly refused to feed him food at night time and charge papers indicate that their neglect in giving the child "the necessities of life" was likely to cause the danger of death.
It is also alleged the eight-year-old was assaulted by both the 28-year-old and Torronen between November 1 and December 18, resulting in actual bodily harm.
Torronen was additionally charged with a number of firearms offences relating to a shortened Anschutz 22 calibre bolt action rifle, which police say he was unauthorised to hold.
It is alleged the rifle was unregistered, not being kept safely, had the number identification mark defaced and been shortened without being authorised to do so.
Jacob Potter was charged with possessing cannabis on December 18, while Barto was charged with three counts of possessing a prohibited weapon without being authorised between March 1 and December 18.
None of the five people appeared in court and were instead represented by their respective legal counsel.
No applications for bail were made yesterday and they were formally refused by the magistrate.
All matters were adjourned to Taree Local Court on April 5, for either committal or reply to the charges.
The Times chose to protect the child's identity by not publishing some names.