This tragic case highlights a system in crisis.In this instance there were warnings - many of them - which makes the baby's death even more shocking.

The Advertiser has spoken with two people "disgusted" with the attitude of Families SA. One was told that child neglect wasn't serious enough to warrant investigation.

In frustration, the other asked Families SA if a child had to die before something was done.

It turned out to be a chilling prophesy.

Over the past year, numerous Families SA social workers have lamented to The Advertiser that children were falling through the cracks.

All predicted a child's death that could have been prevented.

The concern is so great about a staff shortage, workers at the Department of Families and Communities instituted work bans earlier this year.

They estimate a 4 per cent Government salary savings push has resulted in 58 full-time vacant child protection positions across the across the state.

And to top it off the Government's much-lauded $190 million injection into child welfare has been delayed by six months.

The Opposition claims the Government is at war with its workers.

The union says meetings with new Minister Jennifer Rankine and chief executive Joslene Mazel have proved fruitless.

While there has been a greater strain on child protection services all across Australia over the past few years, there is no excuse for ignoring the repeated pleas of genuinely concened people.

Too many children are slipping through the cracks. The Government has a responsibility to the most vunerable in our community.

It cannot continue to disregard their calls for help.