Australia social media influencer arrested, charged with torturing child with drugs
An Australian social media influencer has been charged by police after she allegedly drugged her own one-year-old child in a bid to gain online followers.
Queensland Police allege the 34-year-old Sunshine Coast woman administered several “unauthorized” prescription medications to the child while posting about their medical journey online.
In footage from her arrest, the woman is seen sitting on a porch in pink and white pajama shorts, next to a large, bright pink, Stanley drinking cup.
A GoFundMe was also set up for the child’s medical bills with police arresting the woman in Underwood in Brisbane’s south on Thursday morning.
In a statement, police said she was charged after testing for unauthorized medicines returned a positive result on January 7.
“It will be further alleged the woman, disregarding medical advice, went to lengths to obtain unauthorized medicines, including old medicines for a different person available in their home,” Queensland Police said in a statement.
“While the child was being subject to immense distress and pain, it is alleged the woman filmed and posted videos of the child.
“It is alleged the content produced exploited the child and was used to entice monetary donations and online followers.”
The family cannot be named for legal reasons.
Detectives claim the woman worked “carefully” to conceal her actions before they were allegedly detected and reported by hospital staff in October. The child was taken into immediate care.
She has been charged with five counts of administering poison with intent to harm, three counts of preparation to commit crimes with dangerous things, and one count each of torture, making child exploitation material and fraud. She will appear before Brisbane Magistrates Court on January 17.
Detective Inspector Paul Dalton labeled the alleged offenses as abhorrent.
“Working in CPIU we are too often faced with the worst offenses against children,” he said.
“We will do everything in our power to remove that child from harm’s way and hold any offender to account.
“There is no excuse for harming a child, especially not a one-year-old infant who is reliant on others for care and survival.”
If the woman is found guilty, the alleged offending would be Australia’s first high-profile Munchausen by proxy case.
In a statement, GoFundMe said the fundraiser for the family was shut down in October after the allegations came to light.
“Our Trust and Safety specialists are aware of the accusations and will investigate as part of our standard due diligence process,” a statement from the company said.
“GoFundMe has a zero-tolerance policy for misuse of our platform and cooperates with police investigations.”
