Request for protective custody for TikTok influencer

The lawyer for a TikTok influencer charged with torture and fraud after allegedly drugging her daughter for social media followers says there are concerns for her safety.

Morningside Child Protection and Investigation Unit (CPIU) have charged a woman with torture following extensive investigations into allegations of an infant being poisoned., It will be alleged between August 6 to October 15, 2024, a 34-year-old Sunshine Coast woman administered several unauthorised prescription and pharmacy medicines to a one-year-old girl, who was known to her, without medical approval.

The lawyer for a Queensland TikTok influencer charged with torture and fraud after allegedly drugging her one-year-old daughter for social media followers has requested she be placed in protective custody for her safety.

The 34-year-old Sunshine Coast woman appeared before Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday following a three-month police investigation instigated by the medical staff treating the toddler.

In the brief hearing, defence lawyer Mathew Cuskelly asked for considerations to be made for the woman’s safety.

“Your Honour, I just wish to mention that there is some publicity with regard to this matter,” he said.

“I am concerned with regard to the safety of my client.

“I realise this is an issue for corrections … I just wanted it on the record.”

Magistrate Peter Saggers said those assessments would be made once she was moved to Brisbane Women’s Correctional Centre.

Wearing a prison-issued green tracksuit after being arrested in her pyjamas at a property in Logan on Thursday morning, the woman – who cannot be named for legal reasons – mouthed words to a supporter sitting in the front row of the courtroom.

The mother was remanded in custody until her bail application hearing on Tuesday, January 28. Police will move to deny the application.

Police will allege the woman acted alone when drugging her toddler on five occasions between August 6 and October 15 last year with unauthorised prescription and over-the-counter medications, including those prescribed to another person.

She faces five counts of administering poison with intent to harm, three of preparation to commit crimes with dangerous things, and one count each of torture, making child exploitation material.

Mr Cuskelly requested high-quality CCTV footage from the police brief of evidence related to two of the three preparations to commit crimes with dangerous things charges, as well as related receipts and bank records.

She has also been charged with one count of fraud related to a GoFundMe, which collected more than $60,000 in donations. Funds were returned to donors yesterday.

Mr Cuskelly declined to answer questions outside of court.