Baby Willow's stepmum NEVER fed the child or changed her nappy, police allege, as she's charged with murder after four-year-old's decomposing body was found in her cot

  • Willow, four, who had Down syndrome, was attacked by rats as she lay dead 
  • Her father Mark James Dunn, 43, was charged with her murder last week 
  • Willow's mother Naomi Dunn died giving birth to her in November 2015 
  • Her best friend Shannon White soon after started dating Dunn and moved in
  • White, 43, was arrested and charged with Willow's murder on Wednesday
  • Police allege White didn't want to be a stepmum and never changed her nappy
  • Dunn and White allegedly noticed Willow looked unwell but didn't get her help

A woman accused of murdering her four-year-old stepdaughter allegedly never fed her or changed her nappy.

Willow Dunn's body was found malnourished and decomposing in her cot at her home in Brisbane last Monday, her face partially eaten by rats. 

Her father, Mark James Dunn, 43, was charged with murder after he allegedly found the toddler dead two days earlier and didn't call emergency services.

On Wednesday, Dunn's partner Shannon Leigh White, 43, was arrested and charged with murder.

Police allege White refused to change her dirty nappies and never fed her, the Courier Mail reported.

Willow Dunn's (pictured) body was found decomposing in her bed and police revealed she died of malnourishment and sustained neglect

Willow Dunn's (pictured) body was found decomposing in her bed and police revealed she died of malnourishment and sustained neglect

Dunn's partner Shannon White (centre) was on Wednesday arrested and later charged with murder

Dunn's partner Shannon White (centre) was on Wednesday arrested and later charged with murder

White was led away from the station in handcuffs looking worse for wear and wearing thongs and shabby clothes

White was led away from the station in handcuffs looking worse for wear and wearing thongs and shabby clothes

Dunn and White allegedly noticed Willow looked unwell but didn't seek medical treatment. 

Police also allege White told Dunn that she didn't want to be a stepmother to Willow, who had Down syndrome.

White was led away from the station on Wednesday afternoon in handcuffs looking worse for wear and wearing thongs and shabby clothes.

Both White and Dunn are charged with murder under its 'reckless indifference of human life' definition. 

White had her matter briefly mentioned in the Brisbane Magistrates Court yesterday.

She and Dunn have both been remanded in custody to appear in court on July 20. 

White allegedly told police last week that caring for Willow was not her responsibility as she was not her biological daughter.

This was despite writing 'I would do anything for my kids' on her Facebook in 2014. 

White's daughter, Taliah, 19, would sometimes feed and bathe Willow after moving in to the house along with her mother.

The teenager has not been arrested and has a sister of a similar age who still lives in Adelaide.

White (a few years ago) is Willow's stepmother and was best friends with Willow's biological mother Naomi Dunn for 20 years before moving in with Mr Dunn after she died

White (a few years ago) is Willow's stepmother and was best friends with Willow's biological mother Naomi Dunn for 20 years before moving in with Mr Dunn after she died

Willow's body was found malnourished and decomposing in her bed at her home in Brisbane last Monday, her face partially eaten by rats, and her father Mark James Dunn (pictured) charged with murder

Willow's body was found malnourished and decomposing in her bed at her home in Brisbane last Monday, her face partially eaten by rats, and her father Mark James Dunn (pictured) charged with murder

White, second from left, was a bridesmaid at Ms Dunn's wedding in 2014 and was her friend for 19 years at the time

White, second from left, was a bridesmaid at Ms Dunn's wedding in 2014 and was her friend for 19 years at the time

But for the past year the toddler is believed to have been solely in the care of her father, who allegedly left her in squalor.

Dunn allegedly left the helpless little girl lying in her bed, starving to death, long enough for her to have infected sores on her hips down to the bone.

Detectives are investigating whether Willow spent the entirety of her four years on earth in squalor without adequate food or care.  

Willow was not Down syndrome registered with the NDIS, leading detectives to allege she was not receiving the care she needed.

Police confirmed a post-mortem revealed the toddler died of malnourishment and sustained neglect. 

Detective Inspector Chris Knight would not rule out charging more people and said police were investigating the entire family in Queensland, NSW, and South Australia.

'Despite today's second arrest in this homicide, detectives are continuing to progress this investigation,' he said. 

Willow's mother Naomi Dunn died on November 5, 2015, from complications following Willow's birth about a week earlier.

Her death sent Dunn into a tailspin that left him depressed and struggling to cope.

Daily Mail Australia understands Willow was sent to live with an aunt and uncle after her mother's death.

Their father up to a year later took her and her brother, who is now seven, back to live with him despite a custody attempt by the relatives. 

Dunn allegedly told police after his arrest he couldn't handle his daughter's condition and was depressed about his wife's death.

Willow, who suffered from Down Syndrome, and her brother who is now seven (right) was sent to live with an aunt and uncle after her mother's death

Willow, who suffered from Down Syndrome, and her brother who is now seven (right) was sent to live with an aunt and uncle after her mother's death

Naomi Dunn died on November 5, 2015, after giving birth to her daughter Willow, devastating her family

Naomi Dunn died on November 5, 2015, after giving birth to her daughter Willow, devastating her family

A Facebook post from Ms White in 2014 claimed Ms Dunn was her best friend of 19 years (pictured)

A Facebook post from Ms White in 2014 claimed Ms Dunn was her best friend of 19 years (pictured)

White, who was Ms Dunn's best friend and a bridesmaid at her wedding in 2014, later started dating Dunn and moved from Adelaide to live with him.

'I still have my bestie from 19 years ago Naomi Kipping (Ms Dunn). She's always been there for me no matter what,' Ms White posted on Facebook in 2014.

Ms Dunn replied: 'Awwww love ya xx.'

The two regularly commented on each other's Facebook posts and that of Ms Dunn's adult children from an earlier relationship.

Ms Dunn once wrote Ms White was 'so dam (sic) hot' in a photo, to which she replied 'oh baby thanks xx miss u'.

Ms Dunn's adult son mourned his half-sister on Facebook in the days after her death, and later shared a post condemning White. 

'Rest in Peace Willow. It's so heartbreaking things have turned out this way, but you will forever be in our hearts. Fly high with mum,' her son wrote.  

Dunn's family have since accused him of pushing them away so he could pursue a relationship with his dead wife's bridesmaid. 

A teddy bear wearing a Parramatta Eels jersey is seen in the bedroom of the Cannon Hill home on Tuesday (pictured) just hours after little Willow was allegedly found in her cot

A teddy bear wearing a Parramatta Eels jersey is seen in the bedroom of the Cannon Hill home on Tuesday (pictured) just hours after little Willow was allegedly found in her cot

A stroller was seen in the front yard on Tuesday (pictured) as police continued to investigate what happened to the toddler

A stroller was seen in the front yard on Tuesday (pictured) as police continued to investigate what happened to the toddler

He allegedly banned his wife's other children from seeing Willow, blocking their phone numbers and social media accounts.   

'He pushed away everyone when (Naomi) died so he could be with Shannon,' the relative told the The Australian

Inspector Knight said members of Willow's family moved to Queensland from South Australia in 2017 and police wanted to speak to anyone who knew of them and the family dynamic.

'We continue to obtain information from potential witnesses who are assisting us to build a clearer picture of the dynamics relating to Willow Dunn's family,' he said.

'Our investigative team are not yet satisfied that we've exhausted all inquiries and will continue to investigate and evaluate all information that we come by so that we can make better informed decisions in the future.' 

Dunn allegedly told police he noticed Willow's deteriorating condition and should have sought help before her death. 

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Willow Dunn's stepmother Shannon White allegedly never changed her nappy or fed her

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