Matthew Allen James Dennis was arrested yesterday and taken to Dubbo Police Station where he was formally charged with murder and refused bail.

Yesterday he appeared briefly in Dubbo Local Court where the matter was put over to today for a bail application.

Mr Dennis’ mother and other family members also attended court, calling out “I love you” when he was led from the room at the end of the proceedings.

His solicitor said she needed sufficient time to satisfy the court that exceptional circumstances applied and, given the late time in the day, successfully requested the application be put over.

Dubbo detectives made the arrest yesterday morning and led Mr Dennis, covering his head with a jacket, into the police station about 11am.

Strike Force ‘Yarrol’ was formed to investigate the death of the toddler after he died on March 21 this year.

Local detectives have been working with the State Crime Command Homicide Squad to investigate the death.

“Investigations have been ongoing in relation to Strike Force Yarrol, leading to the arrest of the 19-year-old man by Dubbo detectives,” acting Orana Local Area Command (LAC) crime manager Detective Sergeant Mark Meredith said.

“He was later charged with murder in connection with the death of the toddler, who died on Good Friday.”

It is believed the 23-month-old died just after 11am on March 21 after being transported to Dubbo Base Hospital by ambulance.

Detectives publicly confirmed a week later they were treating the death as suspicious because of forensic evidence.