A Queensland mother has been charged with torture after allegedly poisoning her one-year-old daughter to gain donations and increase her online following.
The 34-year-old Sunshine Coast woman is accused of giving medicine to the toddler without a prescription over at least three months last year.
It‘s also alleged she posted videos of the child to solicit thousands of dollars from online followers.
The woman will remain incustody, and is set to face court on 11 separate charges.
Poisoning
In October last year, staff at a Brisbane hospital raised concerns with police after the child was admitted “in immense distress and pain.”
The toddler appeared “gravely ill” and had “a serious medical condition.”
It’s believed the mother poisoned the toddler multiple times between August and October 2024, using both prescription and over-the-counter medications.
Fraud
It’s alleged the woman filmed and posted videos of the child online, while the toddler was experiencing “severe emotional and physical distress and harm.”
The woman is accused of raising at least $60,000 from online followers through the public fundraising platform GoFundMe.
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Police say they are working to return the money to those who donated “through the kindness of their hearts.”
The woman has been charged with one count of fraud.
Police
Detective Inspector Paul Dalton said: “There are no words to describe just how repulsiveof this nature are.”
“Of course, we’ve got to be careful where we’re sending our money… but I’d hate to see us lose that Aussie spirit of helping your mate over something that doesn’t happen that often.”
What’s next?
Police have confirmed the toddler has been placed in safe care and is “going well”.
The woman appeared in a Brisbane court on Friday where she was denied bail.
According to the ABC, her lawyer is seeking protective custody because of the high-profile nature of the charges.
She is next due in court later this month.
