A 34-year-old Australian woman is facing charges of torture after allegedly making a 1-year-old girl ill for over two months in order to profit from thousands of dollars in GoFundMe donations. The woman, hailing from southern Queensland, has been identified in multiple media reports as a social media influencer boasting a following of over a million individuals. Authorities claim that she administered numerous unauthorized prescription and pharmacy medications to the infant. The alleged poisoning is said to have taken place between August 6 and October 15, 2024, before medical professionals alerted law enforcement.
The woman was apprehended by police on a Thursday morning in Logan, Queensland, and has been charged with offenses including torture, administering poison, child exploitation, and fraud. While Queensland Police have not disclosed the woman’s identity or her specific relationship to the infant, whom they confirm was “known to her,” outlets such as the BBC and People have indicated that she is the child’s mother.
Speaking on the matter, Detective Inspector Paul Dalton emphasized the commitment to safeguarding the child and ensuring accountability for any wrongdoing. He stated, “We will do everything in our power to remove that child from harm’s way and hold any offender to account. There is no excuse for harming a child, especially not a 1-year-old infant who is reliant on others for care and survival.”
Reportedly, the woman managed to raise over $37,000 on GoFundMe, capitalizing on the ailing infant. Dalton alleged that she utilized the platform to garner $60,000 Australian dollars ($37,000 USD) by exploiting the child and leveraging her situation to attract financial donations and online followers. Authorities have confirmed that efforts are underway to reimburse individuals who contributed to the fund, with the fundraising platform cooperating in this regard.
The investigation was initiated following a report from medical personnel at a hospital in Brisbane on October 15, after the baby girl exhibited signs of harm. Subsequent testing on January 7 revealed that the infant had tested positive for unauthorized medication. Queensland Police assert that the woman went to great lengths to acquire the drugs, including repurposing old medication intended for another household member. Furthermore, it is alleged that she concealed her actions in drugging the child until the matter was brought to the attention of law enforcement.
The woman is facing significant legal repercussions as a result of her alleged actions. The case underscores the importance of protecting the most vulnerable members of society, particularly children, from harm and exploitation. The authorities are committed to ensuring justice is served in this distressing case that has captured public attention.
This article was originally published by USA TODAY and highlights the disturbing case of an influencer accused of poisoning a 1-year-old child for monetary gain through GoFundMe.
