Four-year-old girl in hospital, mum denied bail over alleged torture, lighter burn

A Brisbane mum accused of torturing her four-year-old daughter has been denied bail with police claiming the girl was ‘seriously disfigured’ from lighter burns.

Police allege a girl was “seriously disfigured” after being burnt with a lighter by her mother. File picture

A young Brisbane mum who allegedly tortured and burned her own daughter has been denied bail. Magistrate Nigel Rees told Brisbane Magistrates Court on Thursday that he viewed the case against the woman to be “strong”.

He said he came to that view after reviewing an interim medical report prepared by a specialist pediatrician, which had been provided by the prosecution that morning.

Police prosecutor Jordan Theed said police had spoken with the woman’s housemates on Wednesday and believed it was “highly unlikely” that they would provide statements as they were being “avoidant”.

Mr Rees said the woman had not shown cause why her detention in custody was not justified and remanded her in custody. The girl has been hospitalised.

Police allege the girl’s mother, who is aged in her early 20s, had “seriously disfigured” the girl’s palm with the lighter on an unknown date since December 1.

The girl has since been removed from her mother’s care and is undergoing surgery in hospital, Brisbane Magistrates Court has heard.

One of the woman’s other children had died in her care in February, it was revealed during her bail application on Tuesday.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service defence lawyer Nick Hanly said his client was not accused of any wrongdoing over that child’s death.

“One can assume it’s only included (in the bail objection) to prejudice my client,” he said.

The woman is facing charges of torture, assault occasioning bodily harm, and grievous bodily harm in relation to her daughter.

Mr Hanly said his client denied burning her child and claimed it was “not a strong case”.

The court heard the girl had told police that her mother “held a lighter to her hands” – but the mother claimed the girl had simply touched the stove.

Mr Hanly said it was “far too early” to determine if the child’s injuries would result in serious disfigurement – even if it could be proved they were inflicted by his client.

Picture: istock

He noted the police’s objection to bail affidavit had alleged that when police arrived at his client’s home in Brisbane’s south, she had been doing drugs with others in the living room.

However, Mr Hanley said the police had contradicted themselves earlier in the same affidavit by alleging that the woman had actually arrived with her partner after police.

He said his client’s version was that she had returned from shopping after leaving the child in the care of a babysitter.

Police say the child was alone in a bedroom, with a baby monitor running when they arrived.

Acting Magistrate Nigel Rees expressed concern with the woman’s torture charge, which alleges that she tortured the girl between December 1, 2024, and June 3, 2025.

“Shouldn’t it be on a date unknown?” he asked.

“Otherwise you’ve got a continuing offence … The way it’s formed at this moment in time, this child has (allegedly) been tortured since the first of December last year.”

Police prosecutor Jordan Theed said it was alleged the girl had been malnourished – but Mr Rees said a charge of failing to provide the necessaries of life would be more appropriate if that was the only relevant allegation.

The court heard the girl also allegedly had bruises to her head and “all over her body”.

Mr Hanly said there was no medical evidence or photos supporting the claim of bruises “all over her body”.

He submitted there was “every likelihood” the torture charge would be amended to a lesser charge down the line.

Police had also described the woman as having an “extensive mental health history” – but Mr Hanly said there was no record of her requiring mental health assistance for some years now.

Mr Hanly submitted that a no contact condition would ameliorate any risks his client posed.

The woman proposed to live at the same house if released on bail – which Mr Theed said could pose an issue if any of the other individuals residing there were called as witnesses.

A spokesman from the Department of Child Safety would not comment on whether the family was known to the department or what measures were put in place to protect the children.

“The death or serious injury of any child is devastating,” the spokesman said in a statement.

“While the Child Protection Act 1999 prevents us from providing details about individual cases, the safety and wellbeing of children and young people will always be our highest priority.“As the matter is currently before the court, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further at this time.”

Her case will next be mentioned at Brisbane Magistrates Court on July 14.