Friends of the nurse charged with murdering her four-year-old daughter have spoken for the first time since her arrest, describing the allegations as impossible to comprehend. Jessie Phillips, 31, called emergency services to her home in Lowood, west of Brisbane, at about 11.10 pm on Monday with concerns for her daughter Cleo Rose Catterall. The young girl was unresponsive and police and paramedics could not revive her. Cleo was declared dead at the scene with Queensland police alleging she was drowned.
Shock and Disbelief
Following an overnight investigation, detectives charged Phillips on Tuesday with one count of murder domestic violence. Now, friends of the mother-of-three have spoken of their disbelief after learning of the tragedy. 'It's a massive shock to anyone who knew her,' one friend, who has known Phillips since high school, told Daily Mail. 'There is not a single red flag, there was nothing that you would think led up to her drowning her child.'
Relationship History
According to the friend, Phillips separated from her musician husband, who was the father of her 10-year-old daughter, several years ago before beginning a relationship with Cleo's father. 'They have been together a few years and they had Cleo and another baby too. But I'm pretty sure they also broke up around a year ago.' The friend said Phillips' social media painted the picture of a loving and devoted mother who regularly shared updates and photos of her children online. 'If anyone knew she needed help they would have,' they said. 'Honestly it's just the last thing you would ever expect to hear about her.'
Investigation Details
Detectives are now investigating Cleo's death and believe she was deliberately drowned by Phillips, however no further details surrounding the alleged circumstances or timeline of events have been released. Daily Mail can confirm there is no swimming pool at the family's $530 a week rental property. All three children were home at the time of the alleged incident and a man was seen with his head in his hands sitting outside the property after police had been called.
Neighbour Reactions
Neighbours in the quiet residential street were also left stunned by the news, with many revealing they barely knew the young family who had moved into the four-bedroom home around a year ago. The spacious property had previously been described in a real estate listing as the 'perfect family haven,' with a fully enclosed yard. Chris Forsyth, who lives across the road from Phillips, said he was working in his garage when he heard screaming coming from the house late on Monday night. '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. The next minute the whole family just started pouring out the house (with police).'
As news of the child's death spread through the close-knit community, many locals voiced anger towards the mother while others urged caution. One neighbour pleaded with people not to 'judge before you know the whole story'.
Legal Proceedings
A post mortem examination will now be conducted to determine exactly when and how Cleo died. Phillips briefly appeared in Ipswich Magistrates Court on Tuesday afternoon where she did not enter a plea. She was remanded in custody until June 16 and her appearance on that date will not be required. The two other children, who were physically unharmed, are now in the care of family members.
Employment and Agency Involvement
While there has been widespread speculation on social media that Phillips worked at Ipswich Hospital, Daily Mail can confirm she was not currently employed at the facility. However, it remains unclear whether she had previously worked there in a nursing role. The tragedy has also raised questions about what interactions government agencies may have had with the family in the lead up to Cleo's alleged murder, including Child Safety, health authorities and police. It is understood the Department of Child Safety had previously been notified about matters relating to the family and that Phillips underwent mental health treatment in April. However, a department spokeswoman said privacy laws under the Child Protection Act prevented officials from commenting on individual cases.
