Hobart, Tasmania – The heart-wrenching story of 10-month-old Khaylan Butler’s senseless murder has left a community reeling in shock and disbelief.
Maddison Butler, Khaylan’s mother, is still trying to come to terms with the brutal killing of her “sweet and perfect” baby boy at the hands of her former partner, Daniel John Ridgers.
A Senseless Act of Violence
On December 1, 2023, Ridgers, 26, shook Khaylan viscously five times after the baby became “sooky” following a visit to his grandfather’s house. In a shocking admission, Ridgers claimed he lost his balance while stepping on a toy car and accidentally dropped Khaylan into his cot. However, later in an interview with police, he confessed to being “tired and drained” when he shook Khaylan “really hard” in an attempt to calm him down.
The Unthinkable Aftermath
Maddison Butler returned home from work around 1 am to find her son struggling to breathe and clammy. When she picked him up, his eyes rolled back, and he was limp in her arms. An MRI scan revealed Khaylan had suffered an unsurvivable catastrophic brain injury, consistent with “vigorous” shaking. The autopsy also showed injuries from hitting the side of the cot and a tear in his mouth.
A Mother’s Grief
“No amount of time can heal this living nightmare,” Maddison Butler said in a heart-wrenching statement. “Watching the life leave my perfect little body is indescribable. The physical and mental pain of leaving that room is something I never knew I could feel.”
Khaylan: A Life Cut Short
Khaylan’s mother described him as “perfect and sweet” with a cheeky grin that everyone fell in love with. “Sometimes I feel I failed him,” she said. “How could I not have known the danger he was in?” Khaylan should be 22 months old now, speaking his first words, and taking his first steps. Instead, his life was brutally cut short, leaving his mother with a “living nightmare filled with horror.”
The Road to Justice
Ridgers pleaded guilty to manslaughter in November and has been in custody since the incident. He will return to court on December 20. While justice will be served, it will be of little comfort to Maddison Butler, who is left to deal with the unimaginable loss of her child.
Support for Those Affected
If you or someone you know is affected by domestic violence or child abuse, please reach out to:
- Lifeline on 13 11 14
- beyond blue on 1300 22 4636
- Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800