New South Wales authorities have removed two foster children from a Sydney home shared with Reginald Arthurell, a convicted triple killer, following a police raid this week. Arthurell, who began transitioning to female after his release from prison in 2020, had been living with the children for several months despite authorities being aware of the situation since late December 2025.
Details of the Removal and Official Response
Arthurell was removed from the home on Monday after a police operation involving heavily armed officers, according to radio station 2GB. The foster children were aged 12 and 14 and had been residing in the household under the care of an elderly woman who had invited Arthurell to move in as a housemate. The New South Wales Minister for Families and Communities, Kate Washington, apologized publicly, calling the arrangement “entirely unacceptable” and saying it “should never have happened.”
Washington acknowledged “very poor decisions were made” when authorities first became aware of the living situation and confirmed an official review is underway to determine how the children were allowed to reside with a convicted violent offender. She pledged systemic changes as the incident has prompted widespread public concern and criticism.
Background of Reginald Arthurell’s Criminal Record and Living Arrangement
Reginald Arthurell has a long criminal history involving three homicides over three decades. His first conviction was for the manslaughter of his stepfather in 1974. In 1981, he killed a 19-year-old sailor during a robbery, and while on parole in 1995, he murdered his fiancée. Court documents reveal all three crimes involved alcohol, and Arthurell served nearly 39 years in custody.
After his release in November 2020, Arthurell began transitioning to female, adopting the name Regina, and publicly appeared in transgender community forums by mid-2021. Arthurell moved into the foster household late last year, where he shared the home with two children placed under an approved care arrangement with the New South Wales Department of Communities and Justice. The foster carer reportedly met Arthurell during his time as a hospital patient and invited him to live in the home. The situation reportedly came to light after the carer’s daughter raised concerns late last year.
Current Status
Following the police removal, Arthurell is now living in private accommodation. Authorities continue their review of the case to identify failings that allowed the foster placement to proceed despite Arthurell’s criminal history and ongoing gender transition. The government has faced calls for accountability regarding the oversight of vulnerable children’s placement in the state foster system.
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