A high profile mum has been charged with the torture of a one-year-old girl, allegedly posting videos of the results in a bid to get donations and online followers.
Queensland Police allege a 34-year-old Sunshine Coast woman gave several unauthorised prescription and pharmacy medicines to the child over a three month period while documenting the infant’s battle with a terminal illness on social media.
Police allege the woman went to great lengths to obtain the unauthorised medications and cover up her alleged actions by using leftover medicine for another member of the household.
The alleged abuse was detected on October 15 after the girl was admitted to a Brisbane hospital suffering a serious medical episode.
Doctors alerted police, who launched an investigation.
‘While the child was being subject to immense distress and pain, it is alleged the woman filmed and posted videos of the child,’ a police statement read.
‘It is alleged the content produced exploited the child and was used to entice monetary donations and online followers.’
Following extensive investigations, Child Protection and Investigation Unit detectives arrested the woman at an Underwood house on Thursday morning.
She was charged with five counts of administering poison with intent to harm, three counts of preparation to commit crimes with dangerous things, and one count each of torture, making child exploitation material and fraud.
Detective Inspector Paul Dalton said offences like the ones alleged were abhorrent.
‘[There are] no words for how repulsive (alleged) offences of this nature are,’ Det Insp Dalton told reporters on Thursday.
‘We are too often faced with the worst offences against children.’
‘We will do everything in our power to remove that child from harm’s way and hold any offender to account.
‘There is no excuse for harming a child, especially not a one-year-old infant who is reliant on others for care and survival.’
Police also allege the woman raised A$60,000 (£30,500) through GoFundMe donations – which the site is attempting to repay.
The woman will appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday.
