“I can say...the 12 people were aware of the child’s condition, were present during the course of those six days at the Rangeville address, and did not take any steps to provide medical assistance to the child,” he said.

“In my nearly 40 years I have never faced a matter like this. I’m not aware of a similar event in Queensland, let alone Australia.

“It’s a tragic set of circumstances that brings me here today in relation to the death of an eight-year-old child.”

Watts said police across the Darling Downs district took part in the investigation.

“This investigation was complex, and I applaud the investigators for the effort they’ve put in for the last six months. It’s not the sort of situation we are faced with as investigators quite commonly,” he said.