Heartbroken mum of little girl, 11, who killed herself after her accused rapist walked free on bail reveals what was going through her daughter's mind before her death - and why she wants you to see her face
Annaliesse Ugle, 11, took her own life just weeks after her accused rapist, 66, was freed on bail
The grief-stricken mother of an 11-year-old girl who took her own life just weeks after her accused rapist was freed on bail has opened up on the little girl's state of mind in the days before her death.
First Nations Year 6 student Annaliesse Ugle died from self-inflicted injuries at Perth Children's Hospital on Tuesday after being airlifted there from rural Western Australia the previous day.
Her alleged abuser, 66, was freed on bail the same day he was charged with four counts of sexually penetrating a child under the age of 13 and six of indecently dealing with a child under 13.
Annaliesse's heartbroken family have given Daily Mail Australia permission to picture and name the little girl.
They want the country to see her face in the hope bail laws are changed so accused child sex offenders cannot roam the streets while awaiting trial.
Annaliesse had been living in close proximity to her alleged abuser in a rural community south-west of Perth following the bail decision.
The Noongar nation youngster - who was allegedly abused between 2014 and 2020 - was described on Wednesday by her mother as a 'bubbly' young girl who desperately wanted to get away from her regional community.
Annaliesse is pictured right, with her mother centre and sister left. Her mum said she was a 'bubbly' child who desperately wanted to get away from the regional community
Relatives said Annaliesse (left and right) was a 'ray of sunshine' to all those who knew her
'She didn’t want to live in that town - she didn’t want to be there,' the mother told WA Today.
The heartbroken mother said her daughter was one of five siblings and a clever and happy girl who loved watching TikTok.
'They let my baby down, the police, the courts... she had a lovely personality, was bubbly and outgoing,' she told The West Australian.
Annaliesse's aunt Corina Abraham, 43, is holding a protest on Thursday at WA's Parliament House to demonstrate against the decision to grant the accused bail.
Another of the 11-year-old's aunts Natasha Ugle said the youngster - who lived with her for three months earlier this year - was a 'ray of sunshine' to all those who knew her.
'She wasn't shy at all. She was a beautiful little soul and everyone she met loved her,' she said.
Annaliesse's mother said her daughter 'didn’t want to live in that town - she didn’t want to be there'
Annaliesse's mother said the youngster was a clever and happy girl who loved the viral video app TikTok
WA Police said on Wednesday officers were wrong to give the alleged rapist his freedom.
'I’m here today to say that WA Police take ownership of any issues where we can prevent something like this from occurring again,' Assistant Commissioner of Regional WA Jo McCabe said.
'An early assessment of this case and the seriousness of the offences tells me that police bail should have been opposed and not considered in this instance.'
Asst Comm McCabe added the accused may have also allegedly breached his bail before Annaliesse's death.
Annaliesse's suicide has sparked debate among the state's MPs, with WA Liberals arguing anyone charged with a child sex offence should be refused bail.
One of Annaliesse's aunts Corina Abraham, 43, is holding a protest on Thursday at WA's Parliament House to demonstrate against the decision to grant the accused bail
Annaliesse's suicide has sparked debate among the state's MPs about releasing accused child sex offenders on bail
But one of Perth's most accomplished barristers said it wasn't ethical nor was there enough jail capacity to put everyone accused of sex offences against a child behind bars before trial.
'For this type of crime there would be hundreds of people on bail right now in the state,' Tom Percy QC told Daily Mail Australia.
The accused had his bail renewed at a recent hearing and will face Perth Magistrate's Court later this year.
Mr Percy said there should always be a presumption of innocence until proven guilty and added the granting of bail was also based on the strength of the case against the defendant.
High-profile barrister Tom Percy QC said despite calls for everyone charged with a child sex crime to be refused bail, it was not practical or ethical
'There is a presumption of innocence in our community,' he said. 'In COVID times we're talking two or three years in jail before a trial is finished with just one shred of evidence against you.
'Usually in child sex abuse cases there is a serious prospect of someone getting bail if there isn't forensic evidence.
'This is a tragic case but I don't think it requires a wholesale revision of the state law books.'
The lawyer added it was not uncommon for either the complainant or the accused in cases of alleged sexual assault to take their own life before a trial is concluded.
National Suicide Prevention and Trauma Recovery Project director, Gerry Georgatos, said the decision to grant the alleged predator bail was a mistake.
He said remand laws for those charged with child sex crimes need to be tightened.
'The police, too, need to do much more to assist particularly vulnerable impoverished families,' he said.
Annaliesse died from her self-inflicted injuries after being airlifted to Perth's Children's Hospital
About 100 of Annaliesse's family members and loved ones arrived at the hospital she died to pay their respects on Tuesday.
Many of them slept in their cars overnight before saying their final farewell.
A Western Australian Police spokesman said the family members who have arrived at the hospital are being given access to support and counselling.
If you or someone you know is in need of mental health support, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 or Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800.