An Australian influencer has been accused of poisoning and torturing her 1-year-old daughter to make her sick, allegedly using her child’s illness to gain donations and social media followers.
Queensland Police announced the charges against the 34-year-old woman on Thursday, claiming she caused “immense distress and pain” to her daughter while filming and posting videos of the child online to gain sympathy and attention. The woman’s name has not been released... Continue reading here ▶
She faces multiple charges, including five counts of administering poison with intent to harm, three counts of preparing to commit crimes with dangerous substances, and one count each of torture, creating child exploitation material, and fraud.
“We will do everything we can to protect children from harm and hold offenders accountable,” Detective Inspector Paul Dalton said. “There is no excuse for harming a child, especially a one-year-old who depends entirely on others for care.”
Police say the abuse began in early August 2024 and continued until October 15, 2024, when hospital staff in Brisbane raised concerns that the mother was poisoning her daughter.
Investigators found the woman had been giving her child unauthorized and outdated medications, ignoring medical advice, allegedly to make her daughter sicker.
Authorities allege the mother used the situation to post videos online, receiving sympathy, followers, and donations.
She reportedly raised about $60,000 AUD (around $37,000 USD), according to the BBC. GoFundMe is working to refund the donations.
“The content she created exploited the child and was used to attract monetary donations and online followers,” police said in a statement.
The woman was arrested on Thursday after tests confirmed the use of unauthorized medicines. She is set to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday. Attempts to contact her attorney were unsuccessful.
