The senior officer in charge when an Indigenous teenager fatally self-harmed in custody has been excused from appearing at a high-profile inquest amid fears for his health.
Cleveland Dodd was found unresponsive inside a cell in a troubled youth wing of a high-security adult prison in the early hours of October 12, 2023.
Cleveland Dodd, 16, (inset) died after self-harming in his cell at the youth Unit 18 wing of Perth’s maximum-security Casuarina Prison.
The 16-year-old was taken to hospital in a critical condition and died about one week later, causing outrage and grief in the community.
The inquest’s first sitting in April heard senior officer Kyle Mead-Hunter was found partially clothed in a darkened office by a lower-ranking officer after Cleveland was found in distress.
He was on duty despite an earlier finding made against him for breaching a lawful order by the Department of Justice professional standards division.
Mr Mead-Hunter was expected to give evidence on Monday but Coroner Philip Urquhart said he had been excused after the court received a report from his psychologist.
It stated Mr Mead-Hunter was being treated for post-traumatic stress disorder and the symptoms render him “incapable of tolerating extended periods of questioning”.
“The psychologist did not expect Mr Mead-Hunter would be fit to attend the court within the next six months,” he said.
Mr Urquhart said the report said Mr Mead-Hunter’s upcoming appearance at the inquest had caused his health to deteriorate.
“I’m left with no option other than to excuse Mr Mead-Hunter from the summons he has received to attend the court to give oral evidence at this inquest,” he said.
“I have no doubt that Cleveland’s family will be disappointed with that decision.”
AAP