Whyalla woman Shay Ellen Bilney charged with criminal neglect over treatment of daughter and son
A Whyalla woman has faced court after police allegedly found her 18-month-old daughter sitting with an overflowing nappy that contained live maggots.
Upper Spencer Gulf
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A Whyalla mother has faced court charged with criminal neglect after police allegedly found her 18-month old daughter sitting in her own faeces and live maggots in her nappy.
Shay Ellen Bilney, 24, appeared in the Whyalla Magistrates Court charged with one count each of aggravated criminal neglect and aggravated endangering life.
Police prosecutors said police found the 18-month old in an “absolutely dire condition”.
“The baby was sat in its own urine and faeces, its nappy had overflown, there was live maggots in the nappy,” the prosecution said.
“When the nappy was taken off, skin was peeling, the genitals were sore, (she) had infected wounds where the velcro had been on the nappy.”
Ms Bilney’s five-year-old son was also with her at the time.
“She was on bail for assaulting another girl (when) she walked into a school and assaulted two children on grounds,” the prosecution said.
During Ms Bilney’s bail application, the court heard she had previously breached bail by assaulting two children on school grounds.
The court also heard Ms Bilney had previously assaulted her mother.
Timothy McGrath, for Ms Bilney, said the 18-month old sounded “bubbly” on Monday.
Mr McGrath said Ms Bilney was a woman in “dire need” of assistance.
“She sounds like she’s terribly isolated,” Mr McGrath said.
Mr McGrath said when he asked Ms Bilney about the incident, his client said in a “very stressed and pitiful way” she hadn’t changed her daughter’s nappy.
“I took from her comments, and the level of her distress about this, that she’s aware of … the consequential injuries that this child has gained,” Mr McGrath said.
Magistrate Rodney Oates ordered a bail inquiry report to determine Ms Bilney’s suitability for home detention bail.
Ms Bilney was remanded in custody until July 31 when she will appear in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court.
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