‘Concerns for her safety’: Charged influencer wants protection in jail
By Cloe Read
A Queensland influencer charged with the torture of her baby will remain in custody for more than a week, with her lawyer pushing for her to be put in protective custody over concerns for her safety.
On Friday morning, the 34-year-old Sunshine Coast mother appeared in the Brisbane Magistrates Court wearing prison issued clothing, and appearing to talk to a supporter in the room.
The woman was arrested on Thursday and charged by child protection detectives with a range of offences including administering poison with intent to harm, torture, making child exploitation material, and fraud.
A Queensland mother stands accused of torturing her daughter to boost her social media presence. Police allege the woman, a social media influencer, poisoned her daughter to solicit donations and followers.Credit: QPS
Medical experts said the one-year-old child suffered such “severe emotional and physical distress” that she could have died, police will allege.
Defence lawyer Mathew Cuskelly outside court on Friday.Credit: Cloe Read
It is alleged the crimes occurred between August 6 and October 15 last year. Police allege the mother, who cannot be named for legal reasons, committed the crimes to solicit about $60,000 in donations, and gain followers online.
In court, her lawyer, Mathew Cuskelly, asked for the matter to be adjourned, and requested police to disclose copies of CCTV.
He said he would be making an application for bail.
“I ask that she be transported out to Womens Correctional Centre given she’s in the watch house,” he said.
Magistrate Peter Saggers responded: “That’ll be up to Corrective Services.”
Cuskelly later said there was some publicity with the case and he had spoken to the prosecution about his client going into protective custody.
“I am concerned with regard to the safety of my client,” he said.
Saggers said once she was processed by Corrective Services, her need for protection would be assessed.
Journalists who applied for court documents relating to the case were refused.
The case was adjourned to January 28 for a bail application.
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