An influencer has been arrested for allegedly drugging her one-year-old daughter to gain fame and financial benefits. According to a statement by Queensland Police on Thursday, the 34-year-old Australian woman shared videos of her infant in “severe distress and pain” on social media to attract followers and donations. She now faces multiple charges, including torture and poisoning.
The Morningside Child Protection and Investigation Unit (CPIU) charged her with “torture” after extensive investigations revealed the infant had been given unauthorized medications between August 6 and October 15, 2024. The woman was taken into custody on January 16 and is charged with five counts of drugging or administering poison with intent to harm, three counts of preparation to commit crimes with dangerous items, and one count each of torture, creating child exploitation material, and fraud. She is scheduled to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday.
Investigations showed the influencer ignored medical advice and procured unauthorized medications intended for someone else in the household. She allegedly continued administering these medications in secret until medical staff at a Brisbane hospital reported the case to the police.
The police statement accuses her of recording and posting videos of her daughter in distress to solicit monetary donations and increase her follower count. Detective Inspector Paul Dalton emphasized the severity of the case, stating, “There is no excuse for harming a child, especially a one-year-old who depends entirely on others for care and survival.” He assured that the CPIU will do everything possible to protect the child and hold the offender accountable.
Detective Inspector Dalton highlighted the relentless efforts of the Child Protection and Investigation Unit in dealing with severe offenses against children. He expressed gratitude towards the medical staff who brought the case to their attention, enabling authorities to intervene and safeguard the infant from further harm.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with many condemning the influencer’s actions as a severe breach of parental responsibility and trust. Social media platforms where the content was posted have since taken down the disturbing videos, and several users have called for stricter regulations to prevent the exploitation of children online.
Child welfare organizations have also weighed in, urging for more robust monitoring of online content involving minors. They emphasized the importance of community vigilance and reporting suspicious activities to protect vulnerable children.
As the legal proceedings continue, the focus remains on ensuring the well-being of the child, who has been placed under the care of protective services. The case has reignited discussions around the ethical boundaries of content creation and the lengths some individuals might go to for social media fame and financial gain.
Authorities have reiterated their commitment to thoroughly investigating such cases and bringing perpetrators to justice for even drugging. The public has been urged to report any similar incidents to help prevent further exploitation and abuse.
