Police investigate high profile Queensland woman over child drugging claims

A police investigation into claims a high profile Australian woman was drugging her child and documenting her illness online has left a trail of friends, family and supporters stunned and betrayed.

A high-profile Australian woman documenting her infant daughter’s grave illness and daily life in deep suburban Queensland captured the world’s attention.

But now, the world is watching for a different reason – as police, health authorities and child protective services launch a major investigation into allegations the doting mother was, in fact, drugging her child during a months-long hospital stay.

The claims have left a trail of friends, family, supporters and followers feeling stunned, betrayed, and angry.

The grim allegations exploded into the public realm after a person close to the police probe aired them on social media on Monday night.

On Tuesday, the Sunday Telegraph broke news of the police investigation into the extraordinary claims being discussed at length on social media in Australia and around the world.

An image from the woman’s social media.

“Police are aware of reports of child harm against a one-year-old girl,” a Queensland Police media spokesman said on Tuesday.

“The Queensland Police Service has taken action to protect the child and commenced an investigation.”

Morningside Police station.

In a subsequent statement, the spokesman confirmed detectives from Morningside Child Protection and Investigation Unit had taken action to ensure the child’s safety.

“It is protracted, complicated and it will take time, but the child is safe while that investigation is ongoing,” the spokesman added.

South Brisbane District Acting Chief Superintendent Andrew Pilotto later confirmed the child was no longer in hospital and “doing fine”.

The Sunday Telegraph is not suggesting the allegations are true – only that they are being investigated.

Queensland Police Assistant Commissioner Andrew Pilotto. Picture: Scott Powick

Sources inform the Telegraph the child in question is still believed to have a number of legitimate and complex diagnoses.

However, it is understood staff at the Queensland hospital where the child was being treated for many months became concerned after discovering the woman’s social media commentary describing her daughter’s condition, and the course of her treatment, allegedly did not accord with reality.

One recent claim in particular – that the child was being moved into palliative care – raised particular alarm.

Sources allege this simply was not true.

Nevertheless, hundreds of thousands of followers watching multiple videos overlaid with tragic pop music of the infant in hospital, undergoing various procedures and spending time with her family were convinced.

It resulted in an outpouring of support – including through an online fundraiser which collected more than $62,000 – from business owners, friends and followers alike.

Many of those who wholeheartedly gave their support to the little girl’s cause are now feeling confused, betrayed and furious over the allegations which have prompted the police investigation.

An image of the high profile woman.

A TikTok influencer and small business owner who steadfastly supported the family’s fundraising efforts before the allegations came to light, and regarded the woman as a friend, said in a private message she could not discuss the matter while it remained under investigation.

The Queensland woman has now deleted an earlier post depicting the woman and her daughter, where she had spoken on behalf of the family to say the little girl was “doing well”.

“They just want a little privacy and family time (at the moment),” she wrote at the time.

Since the fallout, she has posted multiple images of bouquets of flowers and snacks she had received, having earlier described herself as “shocked and very confused about the whole situation”.

“I appreciate all the love, support and messages I have been receiving,” she wrote.

“I am taking a little (social media) break today.”

A business owner in the town where the family resides organised another fundraiser some months earlier that raised more than $2000 while the child remained in hospital.

“We thought, let’s do a fundraiser, let’s support a local community child and see what we can do for this family,” she said.

“We raised quite a bit of money for a studio of 250 members, we raised $5000.

“When it came out I was actually in a little bit of shock. I was like ‘is this actually real?’ “Is this a prank? I just can’t this has actually happened. We are all in shock.”

The online fundraising platform where the money was raised has since confirmed the woman would not be able to access any funds raised through their platform.

“Our trust and safety specialists are aware of the accusations and will investigate as part of our standard due diligence process,” a spokeswoman said.

“(We) have a zero-tolerance policy for misuse of our platform and cooperates with police investigations.”

While the investigation was thrust into a broad spotlight on Monday evening after the claims emerged on social media, one apparent whistleblower had already emerged from the shadows.

Many friends of the mother had been sharing the fundraiser on social media to elicit additional support.

Weeks before the investigation came to light, an anonymous person made a series of comments – which have since been deleted – on one of the fundraiser posts.

“This monster has closed her (social media),” the person wrote.

“Sad to all who donated to this disgusting scammer. Money and her social popularity was her priority at any cost.”

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