A Sunshine Coast woman has been charged with torture following extensive investigations into allegations of an infant being poisoned.
Warning: some readers may find the content of this article disturbing
It will be alleged that between August 6 and October 15 last year, the 34-year-old woman administered several unauthorised prescription and pharmacy medicines to a one-year-old girl, who was known to her, without medical approval.
It will be further alleged the woman, disregarding medical advice, went to lengths to obtain unauthorised medicines, including old medicines for a different person available in their home.
Later investigations are alleged to have found that the woman concealed her continued efforts to administer the unauthorised medicines until the matter was detected and reported to police by medical staff from a hospital in Brisbane’s south while the child was admitted.
It is alleged the woman filmed and posted videos of the child in distress and pain, and that the content produced exploited the child and was used to entice monetary donations and online followers.
On October 15 medical staff reported the alleged harm against the child to detectives.
Police took immediate action to protect the child while an investigation commenced.
It will be alleged the testing for unauthorised medicines returned a positive result on January 7.
Morningside Child Protection and Investigation Unit detectives today travelled to an Underwood address to arrest the woman and subsequently charged her 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 appear before Brisbane Magistrates Court tomorrow.
Detective Inspector Paul Dalton said detectives were committed to protecting children from harm and holding alleged offenders to account.
“Working in CPIU we are too often faced with the worst offences 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.”
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting or call 131 444. Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au. Quote this reference number: QP2401770352.
