NSW foster children placed with convicted serial killer despite warnings
Consensus Summary
A review by the NSW Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) found systemic failures allowed two foster children, aged 12 and 14, to live with convicted triple killer Regina Arthurell in Western Sydney until March 2026. The children were placed in her home despite a December 2025 helpline warning, which was ignored due to assumptions about Arthurellâs age, mobility, and supervision capacity. The review, led by DCJ Secretary Michael Tidball, identified significant shortcomings in risk assessment, triage, and safeguards, with two staff members suspended and facing misconduct proceedings. Minister for Families and Communities Kate Washington apologized, acknowledging the department had the capacity to investigate but failed to act. Arthurell, convicted of murder in 1995 and two manslaughters, was removed from the home after 2GB radio exposed the situation. The incident has sparked calls for policy reforms, including clearer triage guidelines and stricter escalation procedures for critical cases.
â Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Two foster children (ages 12 and 14) were placed to live with convicted triple killer Regina Arthurell (formerly Reginald Arthurell) in Western Sydney
- A public helpline warning about Arthurell living with a child was made on December 23, 2025, but ignored by NSW Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) staff
- DCJ Secretary Michael Tidball released a review finding 'significant failures' in risk assessment, triage, and safeguards, with policies and procedures not followed
- Two DCJ staff members were suspended and face misconduct proceedings over the case
- Arthurell was convicted of murder in 1995 (Venet Raylee Mulhall) and two manslaughters (1974, 1981), released in November 2020 under an extended supervision order (ESO) that expired in December 2024
- The second child was placed in Arthurellâs home on March 5, 2026, despite the earlier December warning
- Arthurell was removed from the home in March 2026 after 2GB radio station exposed the situation
- Minister for Families and Communities Kate Washington apologized on 2GB radio and stated the department had capacity and resources to investigate but failed to do so
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The review found staff ignored red flags based on assumptions about Arthurellâs age, wheelchair use, and supervision capacity
- The DCJ report explicitly states: 'The safety of the children was not placed at the centre of decision-making'
- Minister Washington said: 'To be really clear, we had capacity in the system at the time for an investigation to be undertaken, we had the resources'
- The article mentions a 2021 Supreme Court hearing where a justice noted Arthurell had a 'proclivity to violently terminate the lives of fellow human beings'
- The review found a 'prevalent practice' of DCJ staff closing cases early in the Western Sydney region where the incident occurred
- The report recommended clearer guidelines for triaging cases and new policies for escalating potential critical incidents
- The ABC notes Premier Chris Minns called the situation 'serious' and emphasized 'zero margin for error' when dealing with children
- The report found the initial helpline information was subject to a 'peer review' before being closed
- The Guardian specifies the two suspended staff members' future is 'a decision to be made by the department'
- The article includes a quote from a 2GB caller identifying herself as the daughter of the woman Arthurell was living with, who said she had alerted police and Corrective Services in February
- The Guardian notes the review found 'failures in the triage of the report received and assessment of risk' with information accepted 'at face value without adequate investigation'
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian and ABC mention a 2GB caller (daughter of the woman Arthurell was living with) alerting police and Corrective Services in February, but NEWSCOMAU does not reference this specific timeline or caller
- NEWSCOMAU and ABC state the second child was placed in the home on March 5, 2026, but do not specify if this was before or after the February police visit mentioned in the Guardian
- NEWSCOMAU and ABC describe the December 2025 warning as being closed due to 'unverified information about age and mobility,' while the Guardian adds that it was also based on 'supervision assumptions'âno source contradicts this, but the Guardian emphasizes this more explicitly
Source Articles
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Some Department of Communities and Justice staff members will face misconduct proceedings after a bungle that saw two foster children living with triple killer Regina Arthurell earlier this year.
âSignificant failuresâ led two NSW foster children to be placed with serial killer, review finds
Two staff suspended after damning review finds department was warned last December that triple murderer Regina Arthurell was living in the home Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Two staff members in the New South Wales Department of Communities and Justice have been suspended following a review into why two foster children went to live with a convicted triple killer. The review, which was made public on Wednesday,