Two foster children who had been living with a convicted transgender killer have been relocated, as reported by local media. Reginald Arthurell, who started transitioning to a woman after being released from prison in 2020, was taken from the home during a police raid on Monday. He had been staying with a 12-year-old and a 14-year-old for a few months.
Kate Washington, the New South Wales Minister for Families and Communities, apologized on Tuesday, stating that such a situation “should never have been allowed.” She acknowledged the serious mistake made by authorities, emphasizing that vulnerable children should not be living with someone who has a history of violent crime.
The incident has generated considerable backlash and calls for accountability among those in charge, as the foster children were allowed to stay with Arthurell for months. Reports indicate that he moved into the foster home in Sydney, where two children were already living with an elderly woman.
Initially, this arrangement slipped under the radar of the authorities until concerns were raised by the caregiver’s daughter.
Arthurell has a troubling criminal background, having been convicted of three murders over the span of several decades. His first conviction was for manslaughter in 1974, followed by two more violent crimes. After serving nearly 39 years in prison, he began his transition after his release in late 2020.
Currently, he is now staying in a private location after being removed from the foster home. An investigation is underway to examine how this situation went unnoticed for so long and what changes can be made to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
