An Australian woman has been arrested and charged after poisoning a one-year-old baby and posting videos of the child in distress to gain social media followers and donations, according to a report in CNN. The unnamed 34-year-old woman from Sunshine Coast, Queensland is alleged to have administered “various illicit prescription and pharmacy medications” without medical consent to the girl who knew her from August 6 to October 15, 2024.
It has been widely reported in local media that the woman is the baby's mother, but police have not officially confirmed this. She is accused of raising just over $37,000 through GoFundMe by publicizing the baby's fate. After reports of her cheating emerged, the online fundraising platform is now working to return the money to donors.
“Proactive refunds are being made to all donors as part of our ongoing commitment to protecting Australian generosity,” a GoFundMe spokesperson said. ABC News.
According to Queensland Police, the woman ignored medical advice about a health condition the child was suffering from and for which she had been admitted to hospital. She went out of her way to obtain the unauthorized drugs and administered them to the child, whose condition did not improve.
Her deception was exposed when medical staff at a Brisbane hospital, where the child had been treated for a serious medical condition, became suspicious of the woman and called police.
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Police are investigating
After taking steps to protect the child, police began building the case. They spoke to medical experts, analyzed the woman's social media footprint and conducted tests that revealed the presence of illicit drugs in the child's system.
“There are no words to describe how abhorrent these types of offenses are,” Queensland Detective Inspector Paul Dalton told reporters.
“There is no excuse for hurting a child, especially one so young that they are completely dependent on adults to care for and love them.”
Police said the suspect has been charged with five counts of administering poison with intent to harm, three counts of preparing to commit crimes involving dangerous things and one count of torture, making child exploitation material and fraud.
The woman will appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday, January 17.
