Australian authorities have removed a transgender convicted triple killer from a foster home where he lived with two children, following widespread criticism and an apology from officials.
Australian authorities have faced significant backlash after it was revealed that two foster children had been living with a convicted transgender triple killer for several months. The situation, described by officials as “entirely unacceptable,” has prompted an apology from the New South Wales (NSW) government.
Reginald Arthurell, who began transitioning to a woman shortly after his release from prison in 2020, was removed from the home during a police raid on Monday. Reports indicate that he had been residing with a 12-year-old and a 14-year-old for several months, despite authorities being aware of the arrangement since late December 2025.
Kate Washington, the NSW Minister for Families and Communities, expressed her deep regret over the situation, stating, “It is entirely unacceptable for a vulnerable child in the care of the state to be living with a triple murderer.” She acknowledged that “very poor decisions were made” when authorities first learned of the living arrangement and promised a thorough review to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The circumstances surrounding Arthurell’s placement in the foster home have raised serious concerns. He reportedly moved into the home in Sydney late last year, where he lived with two children under the care of an elderly woman. The woman, who had previously met Arthurell while he was a patient at a hospital, invited him to live with her as a housemate. This arrangement went unnoticed by authorities until the carer’s daughter raised concerns late last year.
The backlash has been swift, with calls for the resignation of officials who allowed the situation to persist. Critics argue that the decision to place Arthurell in a home with children demonstrates a failure in the system designed to protect vulnerable individuals.
Arthurell’s criminal history is extensive, spanning over three decades and involving the murders of three people. His first conviction was for manslaughter in 1974, when he stabbed his stepfather to death in Sydney. In 1981, he fatally assaulted a 19-year-old sailor during a robbery, and in 1995, while on parole, he killed his fiancée by beating her to death with a piece of wood. Following this murder, he was found photographing himself in one of her dresses.
All three killings were reportedly linked to alcohol, and court documents reveal that Arthurell spent nearly 39 years in custody due to these offenses. After his release in November 2020, he began transitioning and adopted the name Regina. Public appearances and self-introductions as a transgender woman began appearing on social media in May 2021, and he has expressed intentions to undergo gender-affirming surgery.
Following his removal from the foster home, Arthurell is now in private accommodation. The NSW government has committed to reviewing its policies and practices to ensure that similar situations do not occur in the future, emphasizing the need for systemic changes to protect vulnerable children in care.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the complexities involved in foster care placements and the critical importance of safeguarding the welfare of children.
According to ABC Australia, the review process is already underway to address the failures that allowed this situation to occur.