By Will Murray, ABC
A Queensland social media influencer accused of drugging and torturing her baby daughter has been granted bail. Photo: ABC News
A Queensland social media influencer accused of drugging and torturing her baby daughter has been granted bail.
The 34-year-old, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the child, is facing several charges, including multiple counts of administering poison with intent to harm, and one count each of torture, making child exploitation material and fraud.
It is alleged between August and October last year, the woman gave her daughter, who had a medical condition, medications which were not prescribed to her and without medical approval.
She allegedly poisoned her daughter and recorded her physical and emotional suffering to elicit donations, and is accused of defrauding donors of $60,000 via crowdfunding.
In making his decision on Wednesday, Deputy Chief Magistrate Stephen Courtney told the court bail could only be refused on the grounds the defendant was a risk to the child or to herself, of interfering with the case, committing an offence, or of not appearing in court when next summoned.
He said with strict conditions attached, including that the woman have no contact with the child in question, any risk of failing to meet those standards was mitigated.
The magistrate also noted that the defendant had been assessed by medical experts as being of low risk of self-harm while on bail, and that since police commenced an investigation in October last year, she had never attempted to flee.
Outside court, defence lawyer Mathew Cuskelly told the media his client "certainly will" adhere to the strict bail conditions imposed.
"I think the magistrate was very prudent and considered in his judgement," he said.
The case will return to court on February 17.
- ABC
