Mother allegedly took “drastic steps” to poison herself and her autistic daughter
A mother who is accused of attempting to kill her severely autistic daughter with poison claims she was trying to “end her suffering”.
Police & Courts
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A Victorian mother has been accused of trying to poison her severely autistic daughter to “end her suffering”.
The mum, who cannot be identified due to legal reasons, has been charged with attempted murder.
She allegedly told police she took the “drastic steps” to poison both herself and her daughter in what was to be a murder-suicide.
“She had intended to end her suffering and that of her daughter,” the mum, referred to in court documents by the pseudonym “HR”, allegedly revealed to officers.
The woman’s daughter suffers from severe autism spectrum disorder, and attends a specialist school due to the severity of her condition.
Details of the horror allegations came to light as the Director of Public Prosecutions applied in the Supreme Court to have the identity of the family suppressed to avoid causing undue distress or embarrassment.
In publishing his ruling to grant the gag order, Supreme Court judge James Dudley Elliott said “only scant details” of the case would be provided to protect the family.
It was not revealed what poison was allegedly used, or when and where the alleged attempt on her and her daughter’s life occurred.
The mother was charged and first faced Melbourne Magistrates’ Court in February 2023.
The woman’s husband – and father to the alleged victim – had expressed concerns any publication of details which could identify his daughter would have devastating consequences for her and the family.
He expressed it would “destroy her life and exacerbate the many difficulties she already experiences”.
The dad feared it would also isolate his family from the community.
Lawyers for the mother, who has other children, have indicated they are looking to use the mental impairment defence.
But the Director of Public Prosecutions was intending to seek a second opinion as to whether that defence was available.
The court heard the daughter is not expected to be called to give evidence against her mother at trial.
The matter will return to court at a later date.
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