Tasmanian man Daniel Ridger’s loving messages to his fiancée before allegedly killing her 10-month-old son
A 25-year-old man accused of murdering a 10-month-old baby is engaged to the boy’s mother, it can be revealed.
Daniel John Ridgers allegedly violently shook Khaylan Shane Butler and then dropped him into his cot at a home in Warrane, southern Tasmania, late Thursday evening.
Khaylan was taken to hospital early Friday morning with serious injuries, but tragically died a few days later.
Ridgers is the fiancée of Khylan’s mother, Maddison Butler, and has his own children from a previous relationship.
Ridgers regularly shared online posts paying tribute to his ‘beautiful’ partner.
Khaylan Shane Butler died after being ‘severely shaken’ on Thursday evening
Khaylan is pictured with his mother Maddison Butler and his stepfather, Daniel John Ridgers
‘Happiest birthday ti [sic] my future wife,” he wrote on November 17, just two weeks before the alleged attack.
Mrs. Butler replied, “Thanks darling. I love you.’
In another post earlier that month, Ridgers wrote, “I love you beautiful, can’t wait to marry you.”
Ms Butler also expressed her love for her fiancé in several posts online.
Early last month, when he expressed his concerns about how other people see him, she said: “F*** em all babe, we got this,” she said.
Khalyan was the younger of two boys and photos posted online show him falling in love with his mother and older brother.
Just four months ago, his mother shared a sweet video of the baby smiling happily as she pushed him in a swing.
Daniel John Ridgers, 25 (pictured) has been charged with one count of murder
Tasmania Police released a statement on Monday announcing the little boy had died after being admitted to hospital late last week.
Police extended their condolences to his loved ones and said the police investigation is still ongoing.
Family friend Brianna Jeanneret said Khaylan had had a big impact on everyone around him during his short life.
“You would never have met a happier baby, whose giggles brought joy to everyone he held dear,” she said.
Mrs. Jeanneret has one GoFundMe to help Mrs Butler cover the costs of her son’s funeral, which has so far raised $5960 of the $12,000 goal.
Ridgers was arrested Sunday and charged with assault causing serious bodily injury.
He faced the Hobart Magistrates Court on Monday after his charge was upgraded to a single count of murder in the aftermath of Khaylan’s death.
He did not enter a plea and was denied bail to appear in court on January 5, 2024.
Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is asked to call Bellerive CIB on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers.
The 10-month-old baby was rushed to the Royal Hobart Hospital (pictured) from a home in Warrane, on Hobart’s east coast, in the early hours of December.