Mum tortures own baby with hair dryer in act of ‘malevolent, gratuitous violence’

A mother who tortured her own baby and threatened to kill her other child – who kept her own medical kit handy – was fuelled by a love of meth that she prioritised over her own kids, a court has heard.

The woman was sentenced to seven years’ jail.

A mother who tortured her own baby with a hot hair dryer and threatened to kill her other child – who kept her own medical kit handy – was engaged in an evil, malevolent and gratuitous level of violence fuelled by a love of meth that she prioritised over her own kids, a court has heard.

The disturbing and chilling treatment of a 15-month-old baby and a young girl were detailed in Brisbane’s District Court, where the mother pleaded guilty to torture, choking in a domestic setting, four counts of assault occasioning bodily harm (one while armed) and common assault – all domestic violence offences.

Over about a year the now 27-year-old – who can’t be identified – meted out most of the shocking violence on her daughter, then aged eight and nine, who kept a medical kit to mend her own injuries.

This included hitting the child with a stick while stating she “was going to die and God could not save her.”

The same child was then attacked when the defendant made the “absurd allegation” that the girl had slept with her mother’s partner and gotten pregnant. The attack left scarring on the daughter’s arms, the court heard.

Another attack on the girl occurred as she was in the shower holding her baby sister and her mother repeatedly “kicked, punched and jumped” on her. As a result she coughed up blood, the court heard.

In July 2023 the mother tortured her baby, holding a hair dryer on the high heat setting directly against her stomach for 70 seconds saying she did not want her. With the baby “crying and screaming hysterically”, the older daughter took it away from the mother, who kicked her arm.

The daughter tried to call police and her grandmother but the phone had run out of batteries. No treatment for the baby’s burn was sought but concerned members of the public later contacted police.

Crown prosecutor Elizabeth Kelso said the violence was “evil and gratuitous”.

“This is simply malevolent violence against her child,” she said on Friday. “There’s no greater example of someone who owes a duty to her children to protect them, and in fact has acted entirely adversely to what her role and duty is.

“In situations where it seems very much motivated for the love of drugs … than prioritising her two daughters.”

Barrister Kim Bryson said her client would have to face the consequences of her abuse for many years to come. “She comes before the court now embarrassed and deeply ashamed and sorry for her actions,” she said.

The court heard the woman presented with borderline personality disorder symptoms according to a psychologist.

Character references, including by a respected elder, said that before meth the woman had been a good, loving and protective mother.

Judge Vicki Loury said the violence was “repugnant” and was made worse by the children’s young ages.

The woman was sentenced to seven years’ jail with parole eligibility after serving two years. With time already served, that will be in six-and-a-half months.

Originally published as Mum tortures own baby with hair dryer in act of ‘malevolent, gratuitous violence’