January 29, 2025 • 11 mins
A Queensland social media influencer accused of poisoning her daughter has been released on bail. The woman is facing several charges including torture and fraud, after she allegedly posted videos of her child under distress “to entice monetary donations and online followers.” Today, we’ll talk through what we know about this case, and the role of social media as a tool to potentially exploit and extort.
Hosts: Emma Gillespie and Zara Seidler
Producer: Orla Maher
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Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Already and this is the Daily This is the Dahlias.
Oh now it makes sense. Good morning and welcome to
the Daily OS. It's Thursday, the thirtieth of January. I'm emma,
I'm Zara, the Queensland social media influencer accused of poisoning
(00:24):
her young daughter has been released on bail after she
was arrested on several charges, including torture. It's also alleged
the woman filmed and posted videos of the child under
distress to quote entice monetary donations and online followers. The
woman has spent the past two weeks in protective custody,
but has now been released as she awaits further proceedings.
(00:47):
Today we'll talk through what we know about this case
and the investigation into the possible role of social media
as a tool to exploit and extort.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
And this is one of those stories that I actually
saw online before I saw it in the news headlines.
It's felt like people across social media were talking about
this and then the news kind of picked it up.
We are talking about a Queensland mother who is accused
of harming her child, but also using social media. Hence
why there's been so much interest to deceive her followers.
(01:21):
It is quite a distressing and quite an unusual story.
So can you just tell me a bit about what
we know about the woman at the center of this case.
Speaker 1 (01:29):
Yep. So she has been kept anonymous, but the allegations
against her, what she's been charged with, those details have
been made public by Queensland Police. So what we do
know is that she's a thirty four year old Sunshine
Coast mother. She was arrested on several charges earlier this month,
including torture, and it's alleged that she administered unauthorized prescription
(01:52):
and pharmacy medicines to her toddler over the course of
several months last year. Now police are also investigating claims
that the woman filmed and posted videos of the child
under distress to entice monetary donations and to deceive her
online followers. Police have described the child as being a
one year old girl when the alleged crimes occurred. So
(02:13):
we're now talking about a toddler who's about eighteen months old.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
So some very serious allegations that you've just rattled off.
There Where did this investigation begin though?
Speaker 1 (02:24):
So it was actually hospital staff who reached out to
police directly. So that's where the investigation came from. In
the first place, healthcare providers were treating this young girl
in a Brisbane hospital in October and there was some
alarm bells raised in the hospital. Police were contacted and
they actually attended the hospital following that call out. So
(02:47):
according to Queensland Police, the toddler reportedly appeared gravely ill
and had a serious medical condition. They then immediately took
action to ensure the safety of the child is how
they described it, and commenced an investigation. Now, after a
few months of investigating, that led to eleven charges being
(03:08):
laid against the thirty four year old mother this month.
Speaker 2 (03:11):
So that investigation you just said culminated in eleven separate charges.
So what are those charges? Can you just run through
them and explain what they mean.
Speaker 1 (03:19):
Yes, So she was charged with five counts of administering
poison with intent to harm. So prosecutors alleged that there
are five instances that they can prove that the mother
administered medication to the daughter to harm her. Three counts
of preparation to commit crimes with dangerous things, So that
relates to an alleged premeditation with these crimes one count
(03:43):
of torture, account of making child exploitation material and one
charge of fraud. Now, in terms of what that means
and what it tells us about this case, police say
they will allege that between the sixth of August last
year and the fifteenth of October, the woman administered prescription
and pharmacy medication so over the counter and prescription meds
(04:04):
to a one year old girl without medical approval. Queensland
Police will also argue that this mother went to lengths
to conceal her continued efforts to administer the unauthorized medication
until the offense was detected by medical staff and police.
Speaker 2 (04:20):
Wow. Okay, and you said there's something I'm interested in
about the child exploitation charges and that goes to I
guess the heart of why so many people are paying
attention to this story, which is the social media element. Yeah,
talk me through that.
Speaker 1 (04:34):
Basically, the woman is accused of filming videos and posting
the to social media showing what investigators have described as
a child experiencing quote severe emotional and physical distress and harm.
To basically break down the allegations what they mean in
terms that you know, we would discuss the accusation is
(04:54):
that this mother filmed her daughter posted online to elicit
sympathy a follow allegedly and to encourage people to donate
to a fundraising website to raise money for the treatment
of this child's alleged medical condition. The woman is accused
of raising at least sixty thousand dollars through the public
(05:15):
fundraising platform go fund me. Police are then now working
to return the money to those who donated through the
kindness of their hearts. To use the words of police.
Speaker 2 (05:25):
But that is a significant amount of money, really significant.
So you led with the fact that the woman is
currently on trial, and we'll get to that in a moment,
But I am interested in whether or not police have
commented on the welfare of the child who is at
the center of this case.
Speaker 1 (05:40):
Yes, so obviously this is a matter before the courts.
Police have been quite guarded with revealing certain details. It's
obviously a sensitive topic and we're also talking about a
very young child.
Speaker 2 (05:52):
I'm just going to jump in here. We're not naming
the woman because her name has not been made public
by police either, and so we're following their lead on
and that's because of Queensland laws that we can get
into another time. But this is, as you've just mentioned,
such a sensitive case, so so many things are being
withheld at this time.
Speaker 1 (06:09):
Yeah, exactly. But what we do know is that the
child was placed into what investigators called a safe position.
Immediately after those initial inquiries were made at the hospital.
Police said they're satisfied the child is safe at present.
They also said that that certainty or satisfaction with safety
extended to siblings. We don't know much more there, but
(06:32):
there could be other children involved. Police have said that quote.
All they can say is the kids are safe.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
Okay. So that brings us to this week where the
woman's appeared in court and she's been granted bail.
Speaker 1 (06:44):
What's the latest yep, So the accused appeared via video
link in court. There were two days of proceedings this
week in the Brisbane Magistrate's Court to review that bail application.
So prosecutors argued against her release from class. They claimed
the woman could pose a risk to her daughter if
she's granted bail, that she could either harm her child
(07:06):
or attempt to interfere with witnesses if released. And during
these proceedings we've learnt a little bit more about the
investigation or the case that police are mounting against her.
Prosecutors claim the child has a non fatal condition called
tubrius sclerosis complex. Now, that is a genetic condition that
(07:27):
causes benign tumors to grow on the body's organs. Now,
when we say benign tumors, we mean non cancerous tumors
as opposed to malignant tumors. But prosecutors accuse the woman
of refusing to accept that the condition her child has
is manageable. They say that instead she has ignored medical
advice around how best to treat the child and gone
(07:50):
about administering drugs that were not appropriate for her daughter.
Prosecutors also told the magistrate this week that the woman's
actions have caused the child to have a heart attack.
They also claimed the girl underwent unnecessary brain surgery to
remove the tumors at the request of the mother.
Speaker 2 (08:07):
Some very very serious claims being put forward there. But
the woman was granted bails, so presumably there were arguments
against that in order for her to successfully apply for bail.
What were those arguments?
Speaker 1 (08:21):
Yes, so her lawyer argued that the client was a
young woman with no criminal history. This solicitor Matthew cus
Kelly suggested the case against the woman is weak, that
it's all based on very circumstantial evidence and allegations, and
he was pushing for her bail under several conditions. So
(08:41):
he had suggested that the woman report to police regularly
where an ankle bracelet, have no contact with the children
except for through supervised video calls. The women's legal team
also though, was quite critical of the way the investigation
has been handled and this subsequent kind of media interest.
They proposed a list of several different residential locations. They
(09:01):
suggested that, you know, the woman should be granted bail
and that she have a list of locations that she
can be moved between for her own protection. Then yesterday 'sarah,
as you mentioned, we got a decision on this bail application.
Deputy Chief Magistrate Stephen Courtney described it as a difficult
decision to wrestle with, but that ultimately he would approve
(09:23):
the bail application. So there are several conditions attached to
this bail being granted. That includes the woman must not
go within one hundred meters of her child. She's to
have no contact unless through supervised means led by the
Department of Child Safety, and that speaks to you know
what the defense lawyers were sort of putting on the
table anyway.
Speaker 2 (09:43):
Okay, so for now this woman is free with as
you said, some conditions, but she's not been romanded in custody.
What happens from here, So.
Speaker 1 (09:53):
The case has been adjourned until next month. So the
matter is next before the courts on the nineteenth of theay.
That's when there will be something called a committal mention.
That's a preliminary mention of the case where we might
get some more evidence put forward from investigators. And ultimately
it's at that point that a magistrate will determine if
(10:14):
there is a sufficient case, if there is sufficient evidence
for this matter to proceed to a criminal trial in
a higher court. So we'll kind of await that ruling,
that decision, and from there, you know, we may expect
to see a very high profile, very lengthy trial to follow.
Speaker 2 (10:32):
I mean, I just find this so fascinating because it
shows how social media can be the next frontier of
how I guess our judicial system operates and is applied
here in Australia. The alleged crimes were documented online and
on social media, and what role that will play down
the road, will certainly be one to watch, and thank
you so much for explaining that, and thank you for
(10:53):
joining us for another episode of the Daily Yours. We'll
be back later this afternoon with the day's headlines, but
until then, have a great day. My name is Lily
Maddon and I'm a proud Arunda Bunjelung Kalkudin woman from
Gadighl Country. The Daily oz acknowledges that this podcast is
recorded on the lands of the Gadighl people and pays
(11:14):
respect to all Aboriginal and torrest Rate island and nations.
We pay our respects to the first peoples of these countries,
both past and present.
Already and this is the Daily This is the Dahlias.
Oh now it makes sense. Good morning and welcome to
the Daily OS. It's Thursday, the thirtieth of January. I'm emma,
I'm Zara, the Queensland social media influencer accused of poisoning
(00:24):
her young daughter has been released on bail after she
was arrested on several charges, including torture. It's also alleged
the woman filmed and posted videos of the child under
distress to quote entice monetary donations and online followers. The
woman has spent the past two weeks in protective custody,
but has now been released as she awaits further proceedings.
(00:47):
Today we'll talk through what we know about this case
and the investigation into the possible role of social media
as a tool to exploit and extort.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
And this is one of those stories that I actually
saw online before I saw it in the news headlines.
It's felt like people across social media were talking about
this and then the news kind of picked it up.
We are talking about a Queensland mother who is accused
of harming her child, but also using social media. Hence
why there's been so much interest to deceive her followers.
(01:21):
It is quite a distressing and quite an unusual story.
So can you just tell me a bit about what
we know about the woman at the center of this case.
Speaker 1 (01:29):
Yep. So she has been kept anonymous, but the allegations
against her, what she's been charged with, those details have
been made public by Queensland Police. So what we do
know is that she's a thirty four year old Sunshine
Coast mother. She was arrested on several charges earlier this month,
including torture, and it's alleged that she administered unauthorized prescription
(01:52):
and pharmacy medicines to her toddler over the course of
several months last year. Now police are also investigating claims
that the woman filmed and posted videos of the child
under distress to entice monetary donations and to deceive her
online followers. Police have described the child as being a
one year old girl when the alleged crimes occurred. So
(02:13):
we're now talking about a toddler who's about eighteen months old.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
So some very serious allegations that you've just rattled off.
There Where did this investigation begin though?
Speaker 1 (02:24):
So it was actually hospital staff who reached out to
police directly. So that's where the investigation came from. In
the first place, healthcare providers were treating this young girl
in a Brisbane hospital in October and there was some
alarm bells raised in the hospital. Police were contacted and
they actually attended the hospital following that call out. So
(02:47):
according to Queensland Police, the toddler reportedly appeared gravely ill
and had a serious medical condition. They then immediately took
action to ensure the safety of the child is how
they described it, and commenced an investigation. Now, after a
few months of investigating, that led to eleven charges being
(03:08):
laid against the thirty four year old mother this month.
Speaker 2 (03:11):
So that investigation you just said culminated in eleven separate charges.
So what are those charges? Can you just run through
them and explain what they mean.
Speaker 1 (03:19):
Yes, So she was charged with five counts of administering
poison with intent to harm. So prosecutors alleged that there
are five instances that they can prove that the mother
administered medication to the daughter to harm her. Three counts
of preparation to commit crimes with dangerous things, So that
relates to an alleged premeditation with these crimes one count
(03:43):
of torture, account of making child exploitation material and one
charge of fraud. Now, in terms of what that means
and what it tells us about this case, police say
they will allege that between the sixth of August last
year and the fifteenth of October, the woman administered prescription
and pharmacy medication so over the counter and prescription meds
(04:04):
to a one year old girl without medical approval. Queensland
Police will also argue that this mother went to lengths
to conceal her continued efforts to administer the unauthorized medication
until the offense was detected by medical staff and police.
Speaker 2 (04:20):
Wow. Okay, and you said there's something I'm interested in
about the child exploitation charges and that goes to I
guess the heart of why so many people are paying
attention to this story, which is the social media element. Yeah,
talk me through that.
Speaker 1 (04:34):
Basically, the woman is accused of filming videos and posting
the to social media showing what investigators have described as
a child experiencing quote severe emotional and physical distress and harm.
To basically break down the allegations what they mean in
terms that you know, we would discuss the accusation is
(04:54):
that this mother filmed her daughter posted online to elicit
sympathy a follow allegedly and to encourage people to donate
to a fundraising website to raise money for the treatment
of this child's alleged medical condition. The woman is accused
of raising at least sixty thousand dollars through the public
(05:15):
fundraising platform go fund me. Police are then now working
to return the money to those who donated through the
kindness of their hearts. To use the words of police.
Speaker 2 (05:25):
But that is a significant amount of money, really significant.
So you led with the fact that the woman is
currently on trial, and we'll get to that in a moment,
But I am interested in whether or not police have
commented on the welfare of the child who is at
the center of this case.
Speaker 1 (05:40):
Yes, so obviously this is a matter before the courts.
Police have been quite guarded with revealing certain details. It's
obviously a sensitive topic and we're also talking about a
very young child.
Speaker 2 (05:52):
I'm just going to jump in here. We're not naming
the woman because her name has not been made public
by police either, and so we're following their lead on
and that's because of Queensland laws that we can get
into another time. But this is, as you've just mentioned,
such a sensitive case, so so many things are being
withheld at this time.
Speaker 1 (06:09):
Yeah, exactly. But what we do know is that the
child was placed into what investigators called a safe position.
Immediately after those initial inquiries were made at the hospital.
Police said they're satisfied the child is safe at present.
They also said that that certainty or satisfaction with safety
extended to siblings. We don't know much more there, but
(06:32):
there could be other children involved. Police have said that quote.
All they can say is the kids are safe.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
Okay. So that brings us to this week where the
woman's appeared in court and she's been granted bail.
Speaker 1 (06:44):
What's the latest yep, So the accused appeared via video
link in court. There were two days of proceedings this
week in the Brisbane Magistrate's Court to review that bail application.
So prosecutors argued against her release from class. They claimed
the woman could pose a risk to her daughter if
she's granted bail, that she could either harm her child
(07:06):
or attempt to interfere with witnesses if released. And during
these proceedings we've learnt a little bit more about the
investigation or the case that police are mounting against her.
Prosecutors claim the child has a non fatal condition called
tubrius sclerosis complex. Now, that is a genetic condition that
(07:27):
causes benign tumors to grow on the body's organs. Now,
when we say benign tumors, we mean non cancerous tumors
as opposed to malignant tumors. But prosecutors accuse the woman
of refusing to accept that the condition her child has
is manageable. They say that instead she has ignored medical
advice around how best to treat the child and gone
(07:50):
about administering drugs that were not appropriate for her daughter.
Prosecutors also told the magistrate this week that the woman's
actions have caused the child to have a heart attack.
They also claimed the girl underwent unnecessary brain surgery to
remove the tumors at the request of the mother.
Speaker 2 (08:07):
Some very very serious claims being put forward there. But
the woman was granted bails, so presumably there were arguments
against that in order for her to successfully apply for bail.
What were those arguments?
Speaker 1 (08:21):
Yes, so her lawyer argued that the client was a
young woman with no criminal history. This solicitor Matthew cus
Kelly suggested the case against the woman is weak, that
it's all based on very circumstantial evidence and allegations, and
he was pushing for her bail under several conditions. So
(08:41):
he had suggested that the woman report to police regularly
where an ankle bracelet, have no contact with the children
except for through supervised video calls. The women's legal team
also though, was quite critical of the way the investigation
has been handled and this subsequent kind of media interest.
They proposed a list of several different residential locations. They
(09:01):
suggested that, you know, the woman should be granted bail
and that she have a list of locations that she
can be moved between for her own protection. Then yesterday 'sarah,
as you mentioned, we got a decision on this bail application.
Deputy Chief Magistrate Stephen Courtney described it as a difficult
decision to wrestle with, but that ultimately he would approve
(09:23):
the bail application. So there are several conditions attached to
this bail being granted. That includes the woman must not
go within one hundred meters of her child. She's to
have no contact unless through supervised means led by the
Department of Child Safety, and that speaks to you know
what the defense lawyers were sort of putting on the
table anyway.
Speaker 2 (09:43):
Okay, so for now this woman is free with as
you said, some conditions, but she's not been romanded in custody.
What happens from here, So.
Speaker 1 (09:53):
The case has been adjourned until next month. So the
matter is next before the courts on the nineteenth of theay.
That's when there will be something called a committal mention.
That's a preliminary mention of the case where we might
get some more evidence put forward from investigators. And ultimately
it's at that point that a magistrate will determine if
(10:14):
there is a sufficient case, if there is sufficient evidence
for this matter to proceed to a criminal trial in
a higher court. So we'll kind of await that ruling,
that decision, and from there, you know, we may expect
to see a very high profile, very lengthy trial to follow.
Speaker 2 (10:32):
I mean, I just find this so fascinating because it
shows how social media can be the next frontier of
how I guess our judicial system operates and is applied
here in Australia. The alleged crimes were documented online and
on social media, and what role that will play down
the road, will certainly be one to watch, and thank
you so much for explaining that, and thank you for
(10:53):
joining us for another episode of the Daily Yours. We'll
be back later this afternoon with the day's headlines, but
until then, have a great day. My name is Lily
Maddon and I'm a proud Arunda Bunjelung Kalkudin woman from
Gadighl Country. The Daily oz acknowledges that this podcast is
recorded on the lands of the Gadighl people and pays
(11:14):
respect to all Aboriginal and torrest Rate island and nations.
We pay our respects to the first peoples of these countries,
both past and present.
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