A motivational speaker, author and media commentator from Melbourne has been charged over the death of her seven-month-old daughter.
Fiori Giovanni, 35, has been charged with child homicide following the girl's death on July 18.
Fiori Giovanni has been charged with child homicide.Credit: Instagram
Police were called to an apartment building in Southbank after the baby was found unresponsive about 7.20am. Paramedics tried to resuscitate the seven-month-old but she died at the scene.
Melbourne Magistrates Court heard on Wednesday that the charge related to an act of alleged criminal negligence by Ms Giovanni, in that she allegedly left two children in the bath unsupervised and her young daughter drowned.
CCTV footage and scene analysis will form part of the prosecution evidence.
Court documents state: "The accused at Southbank on 18th July 2020 did kill [the child], a child under the age of 6 years, in circumstances but for the age of [the child] would constitute manslaughter."
Fiori Giovanni, 35, is a motivational speaker, author and media commentator.Credit: Instagram
Ms Giovanni describes herself as an entrepreneur, keynote speaker, media commentator, human rights activist and best-selling author and has appeared on television shows such as Studio 10.
She has also written opinion pieces for several publications on a range of issues.
The 35-year-old built a career sharing her life story. She was born in war-torn Eritrea in Africa and on her website describes "overcoming the challenge of a pubescent arranged marriage, and as a teenager being mandatorily conscripted into the army and clinging to life in a leaking boat loaded with refugees".
Her autobiography, Defy your Destiny, explores her journey to Australia and how she became a speaker, author and entrepeneur.
Five weeks ago, she published a post on Instagram about her baby's death.
"It is with our deepest sorry and soul-wrenching heartbreak that we inform you of the death of our beautiful little angel," she wrote.
"A shining star was sent to us to inspire, change and transform our lives in the short 7½ months we have the pleasure of being with her."
She said at the time that a Zoom funeral was being organised for close family and friends.
In a recent video she posted online, she also spoke about the tragedy.
"I no longer have to imagine the tragedy or the pain that comes from losing something," she said.
"I tragically lost my little girl of 7½ months old a few weeks ago. And no, I am not ready to talk about it yet as it is still incredibly fresh.
"It's a day-by-day process that I am learning to accept my new reality, learning more about myself in the process and how best I can move forward."
Ms Giovanni said she thought she had been through the worst of pain but was realising that "the kind of pain from losing a child is a different kind of pain".
"The kind of pain that comes from losing a child is something that takes a piece of you and I don't think you are going to get it back. And it is something I have never felt before."
On Wednesday morning she had deleted content on most of her social media profiles, and her profiles on the sites of several agencies representing speakers and entertainers had been removed.
She will next face court on November 25. Her bail conditions were extended to that date.
If you or anyone you know needs support call Lifeline on 131 114, or Beyond Blue's coronavirus mental wellbeing support service on 1800 512 348.
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