An Australian influencer has been charged with torture, after allegedly drugging a baby then filming her for donations and followers.
The 34-year-old, from the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, is accused of giving the teenager unauthorised prescription and pharmacy medicines from August to October last 12 months.
She then filmed the infant in ‘immense distress and pain’ and posted the footage online to ‘entice monetary donations’, it’s alleged.
The lady, who has not been named, is accused of raising $60,000 (£30,500) through GoFundMe donations.
The kid was initially treated in hospital for a real serious health reason, say Brisbane Police.
It’s then alleged the lady disregarded medical advice and ‘went to lengths to acquire unauthorised medicines’, which included old medications prescribed to a different person in the house, and administered them to the infant.
Health professionals raised concerns after the girl was admitted to Brisbane Hospital in October suffering a serious medical episode.
A police investigation was launched soon after and the lady was arrested within the Brisbane suburb of Underwood on Thursday morning.
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She was charged with five counts of administering poison with intent to harm, three counts of preparation to commit crimes with dangerous things, and one count each of torture, making child exploitation material and fraud.
In a press release, police said: ‘While the kid was being subject to immense distress and pain, it’s alleged the lady filmed and posted videos of the kid.
‘It’s alleged the content produced exploited the kid and was used to entice monetary donations and online followers.’
Police have said the infant is understood to her, but wouldn’t confirm if it was her daughter.
Detective Inspector Paul Dalton said offences of the character alleged were abhorrent.
He added: ‘We’re too often faced with the worst offences against children.
‘We’ll do all the things in our power to remove that child from harm’s way and hold any offender to account.’
The lady was because of appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court today.
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