31-year-old man arrested over Mildura toddler death

Police have arrested a 31-year-old man over the death of a two-year-old girl whose body was found in her Mildura home this week.

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Source: AAP

Homicide detectives have arrested a man over the death of a two-year-old girl in northern Victoria.

The body of Nikki Francis-Coslovich was found in her Mildura home on Tuesday evening, hours after she was reported missing by her mother.

A 31-year-old local man was taken into custody by investigators on Friday morning.

It's believed Nikki's body may have been found in the roof cavity of the Oram Court home following an extensive search of the neighbourhood by family, friends and police.

An autopsy reportedly found the young girl had suffered blunt force trauma.

"In terms of reassurance of the community, we don't believe it is a random incident," Acting Inspector Rebecca Olsen told AAP on Thursday.

"The child's mother and extended family are co-operating with police and they have been assisting with all inquiries."

Earlier on Friday the girl's father Nick Coslovich said he had contacted authorities fearing for his childrens' safety.

He says he sent a text message to a support worker eight days before Nikki's body was found, the Herald Sun reports.

"I need to get the girls out of that house and fast ... I must save my girls b4 its too late. Pls help me," the text message on August 17 reportedly says.

Mr Coslovich was expected to travel to Melbourne on Friday to formally identify his youngest daughter's body.

Nikki was the youngest of Ms Coslovich's four daughters with his former partner.

All are aged under eight.

He previously told AAP he had not seen the girls for about a month and had been trying to renegotiate care arrangements.

There was no history of violence in the home, though their mother had recently met a new boyfriend who he didn't know, he said.

The Department of Human Services says it cannot comment on whether it is or has been invovled with the family.


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Source: AAP


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