Central Queensland mum in court for assaulting young daughter after untidy room argument

A Central Queensland mother’s attack on her own daughter was so frightening and severe, the child fled to a neighbour’s house for help before being taken to hospital for treatment to her injuries.

A Central Queensland court has heard about a shocking case where a mother assaulted her young daughter and caused her bodily harm. Generic image.

A Central Queensland mother has faced court for assaulting her young daughter after an argument about the cleanliness of the child’s room.

The court heard the attack was so frightening and severe that the victim child fled to a neighbour’s house for help before being taken to hospital for treatment to her injuries.

The mother, who by law cannot be identified to protect her daughter’s identity, pleaded guilty in Biloela Magistrates Court on November 9 to assault occasioning bodily harm.

The court heard the assault of the child happened at her Central Queensland home on July 28.

The police prosecution said about 6pm on that day, the victim child was at home with her three siblings and their mother.

The prosecution said the mother had consumed “an entire cask of wine” throughout the day and she became angry at the victim child in relation to the cleanliness of the child’s room.

It said the mum directed the child to come into her bedroom where the mum began yelling at her.

The prosecution said the mum shoved the child, causing her to fall backwards into the wall, striking her left elbow and forearm.

“The (child) felt immediate pain to her left arm and attempted to push past (her mum) to escape from being assaulted,” the police prosecutor said.

“The (mother) fell onto her bed, then immediately stood up to face the victim.

“The (mum) then pushed the (child’s) head backwards with force, causing the (child) to strike the back of her head on the television.”

The prosecution said one of the child’s siblings entered the room and attempted to stop the victim being assaulted.

It said the child got out of the house but the mum chased the child down the street.

The child managed to flee to a neighbour’s house and police and emergency services were called.

The child was taken to hospital to get treatment for her injuries which included contusions and abrasions to her left forearm, elbow and the back of her head.

The prosecution said after this incident the Department of Child Safety got involved and the four children were removed from the mother’s care.

The court heard the mother was on probation at the time of committing this offence.

A solicitor said the mother had been diagnosed with depression, PTSD and anxiety, and she was on medication.

The solicitor said alcohol had also been a problem for her client who was “extremely remorseful” for this incident which had prompted her to seek help.

The court heard the mother had now been “alcohol free for 100 days” in her rehabilitation efforts to “break the cycle.”

Magistrate Philippa Beckinsale told the mother that no punishment she imposed would compare to the punishment of the woman losing the care of her children.

Ms Beckinsale placed the woman on 12 months’ probation with conditions and a conviction was recorded.

Originally published as Central Queensland mum in court for assaulting young daughter after untidy room argument