A Queensland influencer has been accused of poisoning her infant daughter in a bid to garner donations and increase her social media following.
The 34-year-old mother claimed to be documenting her one-year-old child’s struggle with a terminal illness, but authorities allege she was administering drugs to the baby and recording her in “immense distress and pain.”
The case came to light in October when the child was hospitalized following a severe medical episode.
Concerned doctors alerted authorities, triggering an extensive investigation.
After months of inquiries, police have charged the woman with torture, administering poison, fraud, and creating child exploitation material.
“There are no words for how repulsive offences of this nature are,” said Queensland Police Detective Inspector Paul Dalton during a press briefing on Thursday.
According to investigators, the woman administered several prescription and pharmacy medications to the child between August and October without proper authorization.
Authorities allege she went to significant lengths to obtain the drugs, including using leftover medication prescribed to another household member, while concealing her actions.
The child’s hospitalization on 15 October was reportedly the turning point. Medical tests revealed the presence of unauthorized medications, which were confirmed in January.
By then, the woman had allegedly raised A$60,000 (£30,500; $37,300) through a GoFundMe campaign. The crowdfunding platform is now working to refund the donations, Det Insp Dalton said.
Police investigated other individuals connected to the alleged abuse but found insufficient evidence to charge anyone else. The accused is set to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday.
