A social media influencer, accused of poisoning her baby to gain online fame and fortune, has been granted bail.
The 34-year-old woman, whose identity is protected for legal reasons, appeared via videolink in Brisbane Magistrates Court today, sitting at a table dressed in a long blue shirt with her arms crossed.
Magistrate Stephen Courtney had postponed the bail application decision yesterday, indicating it was a complex case.
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Queensland Police allege that the woman administered unauthorized prescription and pharmacy medications to her one-year-old child between August and October 2024, in an effort to boost her social media profile and secure $60,000 in donations.
She was charged on January 16 with five counts of administering poison with intent to harm, three counts of preparation to commit crimes with dangerous items, and one count each of torture, making child exploitation material, and fraud.
Crown prosecutor Jack Scott informed the court that the infant had been hospitalized for tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), a genetic condition causing benign tumors in various organs.
He stated that the baby had been prescribed carbamazepine, a medication for epilepsy, but doctors later discontinued its use.
The infant experienced significant medical episodes between August and October 2024, including seizures, unconsciousness resembling a coma, and a cardiac arrest.
Scott mentioned that the baby underwent two high-risk surgeries as the infant’s seizures were atypical and unresponsive to medication.
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Footage recorded on October 3, 2024, allegedly depicted the woman manipulating a video camera monitoring the infant during a brain activity test “to avoid detection” of her actions.
Scott claimed that the footage showed her covering the child with a blanket before tampering with the nasogastric tube attached to the infant.
Subsequent tests revealed several medications not prescribed to the infant, including carbamazepine and diazepam, at “arguably dangerous levels”.
Scott alleged that the various drugs administered to the baby over a two-and-a-half-month period posed a direct risk to the child’s health and may have led to unnecessary surgeries.
Magistrate Courtney stated today that the police case was robust and the alleged offenses serious.
If convicted, the woman could face a lengthy prison sentence, including time already served, according to the magistrate.
“It is not the law that just because there’s a strong crown case and because I think imprisonment will follow if a person is convicted, that person will or should remain in custody,” Courtney remarked.
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In granting bail, Courtney explained that the prosecution’s argument regarding the woman posing a risk to the child’s safety relied on her having physical access.
He noted that it was unlikely she would tamper with witnesses and there was no specific threat from the community.
Courtney estimated that a trial for this case would take at least two years unless the woman opted to plead guilty, which would expedite the process.
“I have wrestled with this,” he said while granting bail.
“It is one of the challenging aspects of my job to determine whether to restrict someone’s liberty before they are convicted of the offense.”
He granted bail with the stipulation that she must not approach within 100 meters of the infant, and her only contact with the baby would be through audiovisual means, supervised by child safety services.
Courtney asked the woman if she understood the bail conditions, to which she affirmed that she did.
Defense lawyer Mathew Cuskelly refrained from commenting to the media outside the court following his client’s bail approval.
For support, readers can contact Lifeline at 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue at 1300 22 4636.
Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800.
