Queensland businesses raise funds for infant allegedly drugged by high profile mother, police investigate
A Queensland woman who documented her infant daughter’s illness on social media platforms is now under investigation by police over claims she was drugging her child.
Sunshine Coast
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As a police probe into claims a high-profile woman was drugging her daughter to make her appear ill begins, Queensland business owners who raised money for the family have expressed their anger and shock on social media.
The high-profile Queensland woman who documented her infant daughter’s illness on social media platforms is now under investigation by police over explosive claims she was drugging her child.
The family cannot be legally identified due to the age of their children. They are at the centre of an investigation involving Queensland Police, Queensland Health and child protective services.
Police have confirmed the Morningside CPIU is investigating the matter after a complaint was made to them by the staff at the Queensland Children’s hospital where the child was being treated.
“Police are aware of reports of child harm against a one-year-old girl,” a QPS spokesman said.
“The Queensland Police Service has taken action to protect the child and commenced an investigation.
“As this is an active investigation it would be inappropriate to provide further comment.”
The Sunshine Coast Daily is not suggesting the allegations are true, only that they were made and are now being investigated.
The TikTok and Instagram accounts run by the high profile mum have been deactivated as of Tuesday afternoon, with a “content not available” warning appearing when attempting to view the accounts.
A spokeswoman for a platform where the family’s supporters once raised more than $60k to support them during their child’s hospital stay confirmed they were also aware of the allegations.
“Our Trust and Safety specialists are aware of the accusations and will investigate as part of our standard due diligence process,” she said.
“(This platform) has a zero-tolerance policy for misuse of our platform and cooperates with police investigations.”
A spokeswoman for Children’s Health Queensland declined to comment on the police investigation.
“In the interests of privacy and confidentiality, Children’s Health Queensland is unable to comment on an individual patient’s medical history without permission from a patient’s family,” she said.
Various Queensland businesses rallied to raise funds for the high-profile family and their child.
Some held bake sales, donated profit from their own online sales, shared the high-profile family’s fundraiser and social media posts, and even held raffles.
The owner of one Queensland business, an online baby and children’s clothing brand, took to social media to share their support for the fundraiser back in August.
They donated 50 per cent of all their sales for one day to the fundraiser saying the one-year-old had “become really ill”.
Since news of the police allegations the business owner took to social media again to share her thoughts.
“I didn’t really want to make a post about this but I’m receiving lots of messages … so I need to address it,” she said.
“Here...we know absolutely nothing … literally nothing … about this situation.
“It’s making me feel sick reading the comments.”
The business owner then told the Sunshine Coast Daily they were “completely devastated hearing the rumours that are circulating” and “all we hope is that (the child) is okay”.
Another business held a bake sale for the family in August this year. They also ran a raffle. All proceeds went towards the fundraiser which has since closed.
The business took to social media overnight to comment on the police allegations.
“I did not know this was happening,” they said.
“I’m so sorry to everyone that donated to the fundraiser.
“I feel so sick.
“I’m sorry if people are angry but please refrain from taking it out on me … I know as much as everyone else.”
The business has been contacted for further comment.
The owner of another Queensland children’s clothing and accessory business, donated more than $2k to the fundraiser to support the family earlier this year.
In response to the allegations, the entrepreneur issued a statement.
“I feel it is necessary to address my prior support of gifting and donating to their campaign. Like many others, I was deeply moved by what appeared to be a heartbreaking situation and chose to assist in good faith, hoping to provide relief during what was described as a time of immense hardship,” the statement read.
“As new and distressing information has come to light, it is clear that the circumstances surrounding the campaign were not as presented. This revelation is deeply upsetting.”
An anonymous source who lived on the Sunshine Coast and had previously donated to help the family said they were “angry”.
“I’m angry because so many of us donated and events were held around the coast for them,” they said.
A close friend of the mum said she was blindsided by the allegations.
“I just want everyone to know that I had no idea that this was happening. I supported and helped the family through everything. I was there for them through it all. I am shocked and very confused about the whole situation,” she said.
Another close friend has tearfully described the claims about the mother as “gut-wrenching”.
“I’m finding it really, really hard. I’m so upset,” she said.
“I just can’t believe this has all come out.
“I supported her through this, we would talk back and forth. I really felt her pain and had all this concern and care for her daughter.
“It has really shaken me. I’m so heartbroken. I couldn’t sleep last night. I am so sad and I would have never expected it. I had no idea. She was so authentic in real life and so genuine. It’s such a gut-wrenching feeling.
“Every time I was with her, she was amazing. For all of this to come out, I truly can’t fathom it. I physically feel sick.”