Parents watch on in horror as schoolboy chromes for HOURS on a park bench as his carer sits idly by looking at her phone
- Schoolboy chromed for three hours in public park, while carer ignored him
- The carer then called an ambulance for him after playing on phone for hours
- Chroming has become extremely common due to easy accessibility
- No penalties can be imposed on the woman as chroming is still a legal practice
A father watched in horror as a child in school uniform chromed for three hours, while his adult carer sat unfazed and glued to her phone.
The concerned dad captured photos of the 15-year-old chroming just one metre away from his carer in Townsville, Queensland at 5pm to 8.30pm on Tuesday.
The potentially deadly activity in Crestbrook Park in Mount Louisa was only stopped when the student's carer called an ambulance. The 15-year-old was assessed but not taken to hospital.
The onlooker who captured the shocking scene, who does not want to be named, could not believe his eyes.
'I was gobsmacked,' the resident told the Townsville Bulletin.
A Townsville dad watched in horror as a boy in school uniform chromed for three hours in Crestbrook Park in Mount Louisa (pictured)
Chroming broadly refers to the inhalation of volatile substances, carrying the risk of permanent brain damage. Juveniles take advantage of the cheap and easily accessible aerosols.
In the three-hour period, the resident said the supervisor sat at a picnic table scrolling through her phone, as the boy chromed using a large aerosol can, with his back to her.
Chroming broadly refers to the inhalation of volatile substances, carrying the risk of permanent brain damage.
The resident had often seen discarded aerosol cans in the park, but said this was the first time he had ever seen such a shocking scene.
Child Protection and Investigation Unit officer-in-charge Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Miles said chroming was happening regularly around the city, with police encountering a daily interaction with someone effected by the substance.
He said juveniles take advantage of the cheap and easily accessible aerosols, but it is is often hard for police to detect whether they are affected.
'The problem we have is there is no definite indicators, it's not like alcohol where the effects can be long lasting,' Sen-Sgt Miles said.
Chroming is not illegal under Queensland Police law. No penalty could be enforced on the woman, despite a history of chroming deaths.
Daily Mail have contacted Child Safety Minister Di Farmer and the Department of Education for comment.
Chroming is not illegal under Queensland Police law. No penalty could be enforced on the woman, despite a history of chroming deaths.
