Australians were horrified when a story emerged of a child held captive in a cage at a worksite. Now his hard-working dad has come forward to defend his actions – and reveal the heartbreaking truth

The father of a four-year-old boy who was allegedly discovered in a ‘cage’ at a construction site has come forward to defend his actions and share his side of the story.

The little boy was spotted in a makeshift playpen at a construction site on the Stuart Highway in the Northern Territory by a contractor who reported the matter to authorities.

It later emerged that the boy was occasionally kept there while his father repaired cars – because he could not go to daycare due to his allergies.

Now the boy’s hard-working father, Martin Rasas, has explained his family’s situation and why he felt he had no choice but to take his son to work and keep him in the pen.

Mr Rasas, a Sudanese migrant, explained to the NT news that he is a security guard at night and occasionally helps with cars during the day at the company of his immigration sponsor Ken Martin.

The father explained that his wife works as a pharmacist during the day and that his son cannot go to daycare because of his fish and egg allergy.

‘We tried to get him into daycare, but the centers wouldn’t take him because of his allergies, so I was knocked back several times. I am the parent who takes care of him,” Mr. Rasas said.

“I spent a few days in the yard working on my car, and I had my son there with me and I had his playpen right next to me and somehow someone contacted the police.”

The contractor involved reported the ‘cage’ on April 14 and police have already confirmed no crime was committed, but NT WorkSafe and Territory Families are investigating.

Mr Martin has ended his partnership with Mr Rasas and is now helping him arrange appropriate childcare arrangements.

‘Martin had bought gym mats and they were comfortable and he had lots of toys to play with. The boy was very safe, but from now on it will stop,” Mr Martin said.

Mr Martin and his wife Jenny sponsored Mr Rasas when he arrived in Australia as a refugee at the age of 16.

He described the outrage earlier Sky News Australia like a ‘storm in a teacup’ and nonsense claims, the 3.5 by 2.5 meter box was a ‘cage’.

“We have an industrial business,” he said. “If you have a child here, they need to be safe.”

The businessman added that the situation was not a horror story of abuse or neglect, but an example of a hardworking father trying to make ends meet.

A spokeswoman for Territory Families said the agency was aware of the matter and was investigating it.

“The safety of children is our top priority and we take any allegation of child abuse seriously,” she said.

Darwin businessman Ken Martin described the outrage as a ‘storm in a teacup’ and debunked claims the 3.5m by 2.5m box was a ‘cage’.

Mandatory reporting rules in the Northern Territory require a person to report his or her concerns if he or she believes a ‘child is being harmed or abused’.

“This also applies to the police who can report suspected damage to our department,” the spokeswoman said.

‘We are working with children, families, communities, police and relevant agencies to assess and respond to any reports of suspected harm to children.’

One witness, who did not want to be named, said the toddler was in the secure area to stop them ‘running around the workplace’.

“Because three-year-olds climb over boxes all the time… it means they don’t wander around,” they said NT news.