Inquest into the death of Braxton Slager

1y · Male·Drowning

Braxton Slager, a 22-month-old in temporary foster care, drowned in an unregistered swimming pool at his carers' home. The placement was inappropriate: the carer (Julie Tarlinton) lacked emotional capacity after losing a long-term foster child and received inadequate support from the agency (Life Without Barriers). The home environment was unsafe, with an non-compliant pool and dangerous backyard items. No formal home safety assessment occurred before or after placement. Critical gaps included: inadequate risk assessment procedures, failure to identify that Braxton had ready access to the pool and kitchen, insufficient supervision systems, and post-mortem detection of cyproheptadine (a sedating medication not prescribed to Braxton). The coroner found the death preventable. Key recommendations address psychological support for carers after placement breakdowns, FACS involvement in home safety visits, and improved home environment monitoring by out-of-home care providers.