A Queensland man was unable to say where his three young children were — sparking an amber alert when they could not be found — because he was too drunk, a court has heard.
The 27-year-old man, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was denied bail when he faced Beenleigh Magistrates Court on Tuesday on three counts each of child cruelty and leaving a child unattended.
The court heard the man had driven the girl aged 3 and boys aged 5 and 6 from a relative’s home in Paradise Point, on the Gold Coast, and parked near a 7-Eleven service station in the Logan suburb of Mount Warren Park about 6.40pm on Sunday.
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He left the children in the car and walked to a nearby pub, the court heard.
About 10.30pm, the man went to a Slacks Creek home where police were called when he allegedly caused a disturbance.
It was at that time officers became aware the children were allegedly unattended, and an amber alert was issued about 3am on Monday.
The children were found the following day about 6am.
The man is accused of leaving them without food, water and a way to access a toilet.
The man was highly intoxicated and couldn’t speak coherently enough to tell police where the children were, the court heard.
He was refused bail on the grounds he was a risk of re-offending and to the safety of others.
His matter is due to appear in court next on September 4.
Family members who attending court in his support declined to comment.