A 34-year-old Queensland woman has been arrested and charged after allegedly poisoning a one-year-old girl and posting videos of her in what police describe as “immense distress and pain” in order to solicit donations and build an online following.
Police laid charges, including torture, against the Sunshine Coast woman on Thursday, on the back of what they said were extensive investigations after concerns were raised by medical staff from a hospital in Brisbane’s south while the child was admitted.
Investigators allege the poisoning occurred between 6 August and 15 October last year, during which time the woman administered several unauthorised prescription and pharmacy medicines to the baby girl, who was known to her, without medical approval.
“While the child was being subject to immense distress and pain, it is alleged the woman filmed and posted videos of the child,” a police statement reads.
“It is alleged the content produced exploited the child and was used to entice monetary donations and online followers.”
Police allege the woman disregarded medical advice and “went to lengths to obtain unauthorised medicines, including old medicines for a different person available in their home”.
She was then said to have “carefully concealed her continued efforts to administer the unauthorised medicines” until medical staff reported the suspected poisoning to detectives on 15 October.
Police say they took “immediate action to protect the child” and launch their investigation.
She was arrested in Underwood on Thursday morning and 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 is expected to face court Friday.
More details soon …