X Factor contestant charged with murdering nine-month-old baby

The baby girl died in 2018

Mitchell Callaway, who appeared on the Australian version of the show, was arrested following a five-year police investigation after emergency services were called out to treat an unresponsive child in 2018.

The performer was pictured being led from his home by police in Bowraville, New South Wales on Thursday morning.

The 37-year-old was later charged with the murder of the 9-month-old at Macksville Police Station.

According to reports, emergency services were called to a home in Binnaway in July 2018 after reports of an unresponsive baby girl.

The baby was taken to Coonabarabran Hospital, but died a short time later.

Detectives from Orana Mid-Western Police District have been investigating the circumstances surrounding the girl’s death under Strike Force King.

Local media reported that new information prompted police to search a home in Binnaway on May 31 and, ultimately, arrest Callaway.

He had been refused bail and is due to appear at Macksville Local Court today.

Callaway appeared in season 3 of X Factor Australia in 2011 and was mentored by Natalie Bassingthwaighte before being eliminated in Week 6.

He finished seventh.

Callaway auditioned for the show with Keith Urban's song Tonight I Wanna Cry.

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