Woman who stabbed own baby to death unlikely to serve jail time
A MENTALLY ill mum who stabbed her baby to death last year could be back on the streets in just months, a court has heard.
Law & Order
Don't miss out on the headlines from Law & Order. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A MENTALLY ill mum who knifed her baby in the throat could be back on the streets in a few months, a court has heard.
The Herald Sun is unable to name the woman, who was charged with murder, due to a court-imposed gag order protecting her identity.
She faced the Supreme Court on Tuesday where Justice Paul Coghlan ordered the mother of three be assessed for a community corrections order.
On release, the woman is expected to remain as an involuntary patient at Thomas Embling psychiatric hospital, but only until doctors are satisfied she has taken to new antipsychotic medication.
MORE LAW AND ORDER: VICTIMS ADVOCATE SLAMS LACK OF CONSEQUENCES FOR MURDER PLOT SCHOOLGIRLS
TEENAGER DIED AFTER ANAPHYLACTIC ATTACK FROM EATING FRANKSTON HOSPITAL FOOD
Forensic psychiatrist Dr Anthony Cidoni expressed serious concerns that the woman could be a threat to the community if released too early.
But even then, he said Thomas Embling was determined to reduce patients such as her housed there to allow more beds for even more dangerous patients.
Dr Cidoni said the woman’s release into the community would depend on how well she took to recently introduced medications.
In the past, the woman had been reluctant to disclose her symptoms, which ultimately led to the tragedy.
“The challenge is that she presents as okay when she is not,” Dr Cidoni said.
Once Thomas Embling doctors were satisfied that she was no longer a risk, the woman would likely be placed briefly into the care of local health workers before being released on a community treatment order, which would be closely monitored by doctors.
Dr Cidoni said doctors hoped the new drugs would provide her better incite into her mental condition, which would further help doctors to more accurately assess her.
“A compulsory order is necessary and in particular an inpatient order,” he said. “I wouldn’t support rapidly transferring her out.”
When the woman’s barrister hypothetically suggested his client be treated at Thomas Embling for at least three months, Dr Cidoni suggested: “she could even leave earlier”.
The matter will be determined at a date to be fixed.