For Your Information

A Dingo Really Did Eat The Baby

Azaria Chamberlain was an Australian 2-month-old baby girl who was killed by a dingo on August 1980 in a family camping trip to Uluru, formerly known as Ayers Rock. Her body was never found. Her parents, Lindy and Michael Chamberlain, reported that she had been taken from their tent by a dingo. Lindy Chamberlain was, however, tried for murder and spent more than three years in prison. She was mocked for years as she claimed, "Dingoes ate my baby" because not many people believed a Dingo would, mainly because Dingoes are often associated as regular dogs.

She was released when a piece of Azaria's clothing was found near a dingo lair. In 2012, 32 years after Azaria's death. An initial inquest held in Alice Springs supported the parents' claim and was highly critical of the police investigation. The findings of the inquest were broadcast live on television—a first in Australia. After a second inquest held in Darwin, Lindy Chamberlain was tried for murder, convicted in 1982 and sentenced to life imprisonment. Azaria's father, Michael Chamberlain, was convicted as an accessory and given a suspended sentence.

The media focus for the trial was unusually intense, while the trial itself was criticized for being unprofessional and biased. The Chamberlains made several unsuccessful appeals, including the final High Court appeal. After all legal options had been exhausted, the chance discovery in 1986 of a piece of Azaria's clothing in an area full of dingo lairs led to Lindy Chamberlain's release from prison. In September 1988, the Northern Territory Court of Criminal Appeals unanimously overturned all convictions against Lindy and Michael Chamberlain.

At a fourth inquest held in June 2012, Coroner Elizabeth Morris delivered her findings that Azaria Chamberlain had been taken and killed by a dingo. After being released, Lindy Chamberlain was paid $1.3 million for false imprisonment and an amended death certificate was issued immediately.