Bailey Pini Inquest Could Change State Rules

The tragic death of 13-year-old Bailey Pini in June last year could change guidelines at residential care homes across the state following findings at the inquest which detail how increased staffing and safer procedures could have prevented his death.

Bailey died in a car accident when the vehicle he had stolen from his residential care home in Sarina came off the road and set alight a few blocks away from his grandmother’s house in Bowen.

The teen had been staying at this supervised facility following some behavioural issues which are believed to be related to the tragic death of his mother following a short battle with cancer the year before.

His family hoped he would receive the help he needed from the state-run facility but instead his behaviour worsened when he stole the keys to a staff vehicle.

During the recent inquest into his death, Coroner Nerinda Wilson found that better security measures and more staffing could have prevented the tragedy, stating that if the keys hadn’t been available, Bailey would not have died.

“I ultimately determine that the use of key safes should be mandatory,” she said.

The inquest also investigated the level of supervision at the residential home and pointed out that just one person on that night was not sufficient, asserting that better funding needs to be provided.

“It should not be the case that the system is stretched to the point that one 63-year-old woman becomes the last bastion between the residents and car keys,” said Ms Wilson.

At this stage, the findings will only create change at the residential house in Sarina where Bailey had been staying but it is hoped that new guidelines could soon be approved statewide.

Bailey’s family hope that his death and the choices he made on that fateful evening will in some way create positive change so no other young lives are lost in the same way.

Bailey Pini in happier times

Bailey Pini with his mum who tragically passed away a year before he did

‍