Following reports that a two-year-old girl was sexually assaulted at an indoor play centre in the Western Sydney suburb of Penrith on Sunday, NSW Police have advised that there is “no evidence” that the incident occurred.
With the incident having been widely reported in the media, NSW Police have advised that despite an exhaustive investigation they could not find evidence that the girl was attacked at all, and the injuries she suffered may have been innocently acquired.
The young girl was missing for at least 20 minutes on Sunday while at the Lollipops Playland in Penrith with her family. A child heard her distressed calls from a storage area under the play equipment and told her mother where she was.
Detectives initially believed she may have been sexually assaulted, but an exhaustive investigation, which included CCTV footage, and a forensic examination of the play centre showed no evidence this occurred.
Lollipop’s Playland issued a statement revealing nobody had approached the girl during her visit to the play centre, and confirming she was behind the play frame, not in a storage room.
On Facebook, the operators of the facility advised “following an exhaustive investigation police have confirmed today that no sexual assault of a child took place at Lollipop’s Playland & Cafe Penrith.
“Our thoughts and concerns have always been with the child and family and we wish them well after what has been a harrowing few days. Thankfully, we had cameras operating in this area, as they are throughout our centre, and police were able to review this footage to determine that no one had approached the child during her visit.
“We have owned this business for over 10 years and have always placed customer safety as one of our highest priorities. We would like to thank our customers and staff for their loyal support and understanding during these extremely difficult few days.”
NSW Police Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad Detective Superintendent John Kerlatec told reporters on Monday the young girl was found in an “extremely distressed” state and taken to Westmead children’s hospital with several injuries.
She was released shortly after into the care of her family.
DS Kerlatec said the girl’s injuries had been sufficient enough to cause serious concern, noting “we’re going to keep a very open mind and treat this at its worst.
“The child was obviously very distressed. All parents would be concerned, firstly that the child went missing, and finding your child in a distressed state.”
NSW Police have advised that investigations by the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad are “continuing”.
Image: Lollipops Playland Penrith.
About the author
Nigel Benton
Co-founder/Publisher, Australasian Leisure Management
Born in the English county of Dorset, Nigel Benton is the co-founder and Publisher of Australasian Leisure Management, Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific’s only magazine for professionals in all areas of the leisure industry and the www.ausleisure.com.au website - the go to news resource for industry leaders and professionals.
With a long-term commitment to communicating all that is best about the leisure industry (aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues) his career has been defined by an ability to develop and implement industry communications.
Starting his career working in heritage visitor attractions and then adventure travel in Africa and the Middle East, an interest in writing about his experiences led to his change of career into magazine journalism and publishing.
In addition to publishing, Nigel speaks on marketing communications at a range of industry events.
He was made a Life Member of the World Leisure and Recreation Association in 2006 and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (London).
In 2020, he launched the new Asian Leisure Business website.
As of October 2024, he was inducted into the Australian Fitness Awards Roll of Honour at the 2024 AUSactive National Awards.
Among a range of published works and features, his comments on a Blog (blogspot) from 2007 to 2011, when this website went live in its current form, may be interesting to reflect back on.
His philosophy on life is to be kind to all and to indulge those that you love.
His passions include family, Newcastle United and motorcycles (especially British ones) as well, until February 2025 when she left us, caring a little pug named Stella.
Click here to connect with him via LinkedIn.
Read more from this author
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