‘Horrendous’: Influencer accused of poisoning baby for donations, followers

A Queensland social media influencer has been charged with torture, with police alleging she deliberately poisoned her daughter to post about the sick 12-month-old to solicit donations and online followers.

The child was put through such “severe emotional and physical distress,” police allege, that she could have died.

On Thursday, child protection detectives formally charged the 34-year-old woman 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.

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

It is alleged the crimes occurred between August 6 and October 15 last year.

“It will be further alleged the woman, disregarding medical advice, went to lengths to obtain unauthorised medicines, including old medicines for a different person available in their home,” police said in a statement.

Police alleged the woman “carefully concealed her continued efforts to administer the unauthorised medicines” until Brisbane hospital staff reported it to police while the baby was admitted.

“While the child was being subject to immense distress and pain, it is alleged the woman filmed and posted videos of the child,” police said.

“It is alleged the content produced exploited the child and was used to entice monetary donations and online followers.”

The alleged harm was reported to detectives by medical staff on October 15 last year. Police sought medical advice on the case, and said tests conducted for unauthorised medicines returned a positive result on January 7.

Detective Inspector Paul Dalton said the child was in hospital for a genuine reason on October 15. He would not specify her condition due to the case being before the courts.

“The child was in hospital and being treated for quite a serious illness,” he said.

The mother had been given a treatment plan for the baby, Dalton said, however she had gone outside the plan.

Police will allege the girl had a medical episode as a result of being poisoned.

Dalton said medical experts told police the child would have been “going through severe emotional and physical distress”.

He would not elaborate on the drugs allegedly administered, except to say they were pharmaceutical, and one was obtained from a chemist.

“There are more than five occasions where we believe that child was administered that drug,” he said.

When asked what would have happened if police did not intervene, Dalton answered: “It’s been described that [the child was] gravely ill, with the possibility of the child passing away.”

Dalton said the baby was now safe and doing well.

Police are also alleging the woman received about $60,000 in donations through appeals on the GoFundMe platform. Dalton said he understood GoFundMe was making attempts to repay the money to those who donated.

“And we will be seeking that money back in restitution should she be convicted at a later date,” he said.

Police are not planning to arrest anyone else in relation to the case.

“You try and put into words to describe this, or with any child abuse matter, it’s quite difficult. I think it’s horrendous on a few different levels here,” Dalton said.

“Generally speaking, it’s affected a lot of people. Not only are we alleging that the child was tortured over a three-month period – and, again, I’ll use those words ‘suffered severe emotional and physical distress and harm’ – siblings would be aware of this, other innocent family members would be aware of this.

“This follows on to the good people in our community who followed this person, supported this person, provided their hard-earned cash to do that.”

The woman is scheduled to appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday.

Under Queensland law, the family cannot be identified.

Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800; Lifeline: 13 11 14