A HELPLESS baby boy was rushed to hospital three times suffering broken bones, cuts and bruises while in the care of a foster mother.

Police have been called in to investigate the case amid questions as to why Victorian authorities did not act earlier over the apparent abuse and neglect of the child. The Herald Sun was told the injuries were so widespread the baby looked as if he had been tortured.

The injuries - including possible chemical burns and missing teeth - were sustained over three months and were spread over his entire body.

"It's as though this little baby has been tortured," a source said.

"The kid should have been pulled out of there."

Hospital officials and the Department of Human Services, which administers foster parents, discussed the case after the boy's first hospital visit. But it was only after the third incident - when medical authorities found conclusive evidence of non-accidental injury - that he was given a new carer.

The boy's ordeal began when he was taken from his natural parents and given to the foster mother in August 2003, aged five months. In October that year he was admitted to the Royal Children's Hospital suffering ulceration of his lips. After an 11-day stay, he was sent back to the foster mother.

A month later, the boy was again admitted to the RCH with a healing arm fracture, possible chemical burns to the fingers and toes, cuts and bruises to the soles of his feet, and cuts and swelling to the upper lip.

After a two-week stay, he was again discharged into the care of the same foster mother. In December he was again taken to the RCH, this time with a swollen upper lip, cuts to the lip and two missing teeth. It is believed police are now investigating whether the teeth were forcibly removed.

After being discharged, the boy was assigned to another foster carer and is now believed to be back with his natural mother. The foster mother, who also has children of her own, has been interviewed by detectives from the Richmond criminal investigation unit.

She has not been allowed to foster children since concerns were raised about the boy who had been in her care. A Department of Human Services investigation is understood to have found no previous problems with children placed in her care.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman confirmed yesterday that a 47-year-old woman had been interviewed over the case and no charges had been laid yet.

"It would be inappropriate for us to comment further," the spokeswoman said.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Human Services said last night it would not be appropriate to comment because of the police investigation.

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