Body of little girl, 4, was 'attacked by rats as she lay dead in cot for two days'

A child's face was eaten by rats after she was allegedly left to die in a crib by her father.

Mark James Dunn, 43, was charged with the murder of his daughter Willow Dunn, 4 - who had Down's syndrome - at his home in Cannon Hill, Brisbane, on Monday.

Dunn allegedly told police he discovered the child dead on Saturday but no call was made to the emergency services for two days.

The Australian reports local police believe the body was left to rot by her father in her bed in a back bedroom, with her body being slowly consumed by rodents.

Queensland Ambulance Service had eventually been alerted at around 9am on Monday.

An investigation is underway to determine if Willow starved to death and was denied medication, with police alleging she had scalp burns and bone-deep infected hip sores.

Willow grew up without her biological mother - after she died in childbirth - and lived with Dunn, as well as a stepmother and stepsister in their rented home - though the latter two are not facing charges.

The Department of Child Safety has confirmed it had been in touch with the family in relation to the tragic child, but has reportedly refused to give any further details.

LNP shadow police minister Dan Purdie told the Courier Mail : "The big question in such a horrific case of alleged neglect is how a vulnerable young child has slipped through the cracks and how this could have been prevented."

Neighbours, some of who have laid tributes outside the home, have reportedly claimed they had never seen Willow, despite the family having lived at the property for a year.

Dunn was charged under a new definition of murder in Queensland aimed at child-killers, which includes "reckless indifference to human life".

Two ambulances and multiple police cars were seen parked at the home following the discovery, with a crime scene established.

The following day investigators returned to further examine the home and gather forensic swabs, it is reported.

Pictures taken at the scene on Tuesday morning show officials in hazmat suits taking forensic swabs and further examining the family home.

During a hearing at Brisbane Magistrates Court on Tuesday, at which the accused was not present, the case was adjourned until July 20.