The case of murdered Melbourne toddler Sanaya Sahib has raised numerous questions, not least of which is whether more could have been done to save the little girl.
That’s precisely the premise of a new inquiry launched by the Victorian government today.
Families and Children Minister Jenny Mikakos said the investigation would look at whether protocols were properly followed by the Department of Health and Human Services and other related agencies in the months prior to Sanaya’s death.
Sanaya’s mother, Sofina Nikat, is currently in custody charged with murdering the toddler, after the 14-month-old’s body was found dumped in Darebin Creek in Melbourne’s north east.
“We want to assist the police and not impede the police in their continued investigation into this matter,” Minister Mikakos said.
“But I do think that it is important that the community gets the assurances that it deserves, that our systems, our services are working as effectively as it should be to make sure that Victorian children are safe.”