Police who recovered the remains of nine-year-old Charlise Mutten were confronted with a scene so horrific some were expected to need time off work and to seek counselling.
Charlise's body was found on Tuesday afternoon inside a barrel near the Colo River, north-west of Sydney, about a week after she was allegedly murdered in the Blue Mountains.
The girl's stepfather, Justin Stein, had allegedly filled the barrel with sand and abandoned it in scrub because it proved too heavy to get down to the river.
Few details surrounding the recovery of little Charlise's remains have been publicly disclosed.
A police source told Daily Mail Australia that officers who attended the scene were horrified by what they encountered when the contents of the barrel were revealed.
'There will be people that won't be coming back to work for a while,' the source said.
Police who recovered the remains of nine-year-old Charlise Mutten were confronted with a scene so horrific some are expected to need time off work. Charlise's body was found on Tuesday afternoon inside a barrel near the Colo River, north-west of Sydney
Charlise's stepfather, Justin Stein, allegedly put her body in a barrel and filled it with sand but abandoned it in scrub because it proved too heavy to get down to the river (pictured)
A police source told Daily Mail Australia that officers who attended the scene were horrified by what they encountered when the contents of the barrel was revealed. Police attended the Colo River site on Tuesday afternoon (pictured)
A NSW Police spokeswoman said any affected officers would be reminded of the extensive psychological services available to them but could not provide further comment.
Stein has asked to be kept away from other prisoners while he is in custody after being charged with his stepdaughter's murder.
It is understood his in the Metropolitan Remand and Reception Centre at Silverwater in Sydney's west.
The 31-year-old appeared via video link in Central Local Court on Wednesday morning when he did not apply for bail and it was formally refused.
Stein's barrister told magistrate Robert Williams his client needed medication for mental health issues while in custody, adding he had been on 'high dosages' for many years.
He also expressed Stein's concerns for his safety.
Charlise's mother Kallista Mutten's fiancé Justin Stein (pictured) has been charged with his stepdaughter's murder. Stein has asked to be kept away from other prisoners while he is in custody at the Metropolitan Remand and Reception Centre at Silverwater
Justin Stein's barrister told magistrate Robert Williams his client needed medication for mental health issues while in custody, adding he had been on 'high dosages' for many years. Charlise Mutten is pictured
'The other matter I'm instructed to raise relates to his concerns for personal safety in custody,' the barrister said.
'He has asked the court to recommend a no association classification.'
Mr Williams said only Corrective Services had the power to separate the accused from other prisoners.
Stein's lawyer also asked the
