FFK Blog Fehmeeda Farid Khan Blog for Unsolved Miseries
Related Articles
An 18-month-old girl named Lily Jean Schettini was discovered lifeless in her room, and to this day, the police remain baffled about the identity of her perpetrator.
The sudden loss of a beloved one can be profoundly heartbreaking, but when that cherished one is an innocent child, the anguish becomes unbearable. Children are expected to traverse long, fruitful lives with a plethora of years ahead of them, not to pass away before reaching their second birthday.
Lily Jean Schettini Lily Jean Schettini, an 18-month-old residing in South Australia’s tranquil town of Smithfield Plains, cohabited with her mother, Jessica Schettini, her mother’s partner, and her younger three-year-old sister, Charlotte.
Lily and Charlotte, two little angels, depended on their caregivers to watch over them and safeguard their well-being. However, one of them would never have the opportunity to grow up and revel in the joys of life.
The Incident During that fateful period, another couple was staying with Jessica and her partner. On the morning of May 2, 2010, at precisely 9:30 a.m., Jessica, accompanied by another woman, left for the day. Since Lily and Charlotte shared a room, Jessica refrained from checking on them to avoid disturbing their slumber.
Jessica believed that her partner and a male friend would responsibly care for her daughters while she was away. Later at 11:30 a.m., one of the men left the house, leaving the other alone with the two little girls. The police, however, have chosen not to disclose which man remained at home.
The man who stayed in the house reported hearing Lily’s cries around 11:30 a.m. He attended to her, realizing she needed a diaper change. After her diaper was changed, Lily seemed to return to sleep.
When Lily did not wake up by 12:30 p.m., the man went to check on her and tragically found her lifeless. Before the paramedics arrived, he sought help from the neighbors, who tried desperately to revive Lily. Despite their best efforts, Lily had already passed away, beyond the reach of revival.
Investigation of the Case The South Australia Police Department diligently investigated Lily’s case to unravel the mystery behind the young girl’s demise. The medical examiner concluded that Lily succumbed to blunt head trauma, possibly resulting from shaking or a blow to the head.
The exact time of the incident could not be ascertained. The medical examiner speculated that Lily’s injuries might have occurred the night before she was discovered, although it was more probable that they happened on the fateful morning.
Despite no prior complaints about the family, the police suspected that Lily and her sister, Charlotte, were often left unattended in their room for extended periods without any checks. They surmised that the girls might not have received proper care.
The police investigation spanned three years. While they were convinced that one of the four adults in the household was responsible for Lily’s death, they lacked substantial evidence to press charges against anyone.
Revisiting the Case Concerned citizens were disquieted by the possibility of Lily’s case slipping into obscurity, and they were determined not to let that happen. The residents of South Australia felt that Lily had been overlooked during her life and were determined not to neglect her memory after her passing. Consequently, they called for a separate investigation into her demise.
In 2017, the South Australia Police Department’s Major Crime Investigation Branch revisited Lily’s case. To incentivize anyone with crucial information to come forward, the South Australian government offered a reward of up to $1 million for details leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual responsible for Lily’s death.
Present Day Lily Jean Schettini’s biological father, Michael Schmitt, remains devastated by the tragic loss of his daughter. He could never have anticipated losing her in such a heart-rending manner and yearned to witness her grow into adulthood. He fervently hopes for justice to prevail and for the perpetrator to be brought to account for their heinous deed.
If you possess any information regarding Lily Jean Schettini’s case, please do not hesitate to contact Crime Stoppers South Australia at 1-800-333-000.
