Mother is charged with murder over the alleged drowning death of her four-year-old daughter

A mother has been charged with murdering her four-year-old daughter after the girl was found dead at a home west of Brisbane following an alleged drowning incident.

Emergency services were called to a Lowood property about 11.10pm where the child, Cleo Rose Catterall, was located unresponsive and declared dead at the scene.

After investigations overnight and into Tuesday morning, Queensland Police charged 31-year-old nurse Jessie Renee Phillip with one count of murder domestic violence against a child.

Her case was briefly heard in Ipswich Magistrates Court on Tuesday afternoon, during which she did not enter a plea.

She was remanded in custody until June 16 where her appearance will not be required.

Police said two other children, who were also known to Phillip, were located inside the property at the time. They were both uninjured.

‘The remaining two children are in the care of family members and their well-being remains a priority for all involved,’ Detective Inspector Michael Manago said.

Insp Manago said Phillip was the only adult at the home on Monday night and she had called emergency services. He said police were still investigating the timeline of the tragedy.

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A mother has been charged with murdering her daughter after emergency services were called to a Lowood property at about 11.10pm on Monday

‘A post mortem examination will be conducted in the near future to establish greater clarity around how the child died,’ he said.

‘This is an incredibly tragic situation.’

Police are urging anyone who may have relevant information to come forward.

Neighbour Chris Forsyth told The Courier-Mail on Tuesday morning he was in his garage when he heard screams from the house opposite.

‘I was just working on my car and I heard screaming from outside. Didn’t think much of it at the time,’ Mr Forsyth said.

‘I saw my security cameras later where several cops cars started flying in late last night.’

Another neighbour said he couldn’t believe an incident like this had happened in Lowood.

It comes as Queensland Premier David Crisafulli sent his condolences to the family of the little girl.

‘My reaction is one of deep sorrow, and it’s just so deeply troubling, and I want to see a full and thorough investigation,’ he said.

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Forensic teams could be seen setting up outside the property on Tuesday afternoon

A postmortem exam will be conducted in the near future, according to Insp Manago, and he declined to comment on the cause of her death.

‘This is an incredibly tragic situation, which is even more tragic given the presence of the other young children in the dwelling at the time,’ he said.

‘Our thoughts are with the child’s family and the everyone else that’s been affected by this incident.

‘We understand that this incident has shocked the local community and want to reassure the public that there is no ongoing threat.’

More to come.