Mother had mouth swabbed by investigators after son, 4, found dead in possible act of cannibalism

An Australian mom had her mouth forensically examined by investigators amid a cannibalism probe into the death of her son — who was found dead with a mutilated arm in a scene so disturbing, officers were offered support services.The 32-year-old woman was arrested and charged with domestic violence murder after officials in Wyong discovered the body of a 4-year-old child with significant arm injuries.Authorities found the boy after the mother, who has not been identified, showed up at a police station, leading cops to the house where the pair lived alone, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported.The child may have been dead for days, Nine News reported.Investigators obtained an urgent court order after the grisly discovery to forensically examine the mouth of the woman before she was cuffed and charged, ABC said.

The order allowed cops to take samples from her mouth contents, forensic material, and a buccal swab, according to court documents reviewed by the outlet.Samples were also taken from the woman’s nails, according to the report.Cannibalism will be investigated in the death of the boy, police sources confirmed to the outlet.

Officers began to consider the possibility of cannibalism in the boy’s death after “discussions” with the mom, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.The mom and son had moved into the rental home earlier this year after an alleged domestic-violence incident between the woman and an ex-partner, a neighbor said.The mother was known to police, but authorities have urged the public to come forward with any additional information about her and the child.“It was an extremely confronting scene.

It’s been confirmed that the child had injuries.I am not going to speculate further on what those injuries are,” Superintendent Chad Gillies from the Tuggerah Lakes District said at a press conference on Sunday, according to the outlet.Police and emergency services who were at the disturbing scene are receiving support, Gillies sa...