Australian Influencer Arrested for Poisoning Her Daughter to Fake Illness for Online Donations

An Australian influencer has been arrested for poisoning her one-year-old daughter in the hopes of gaining online followers and donations. A Queensland woman, 34, allegedly pretended her child was battling a serious illness on social media, but detectives found out that she secretly poisoned the child so that they could record them in agony and distress.

Baby Admitted to Hospital After Serious Health Episode

The case started in October when the baby was taken to the hospital after a severe medical episode. The doctors were alarmed by the child's situation and raised the alarm, which led to the investigation of the woman's involvement. The baby was found to have experienced serious emotional and physical harm due to unauthorised medicines.

Woman Charged with Using Prescription Drugs to Harm Her Child

The police have accused the woman of administering various prescription and pharmacy drugs without prescription to her baby between August and October. According to the reports, she would go to great extents to acquire the drugs, even using leftover medication in the house belonging to someone else to cover up her actions.

Social Media Scams and GoFundMe Donations

She had gathered some A$60,000, or $37,300, through her posts online by stating that the child was suffering from a terminal illness in GoFundMe. However, the investigators discovered that the child never suffered from a dangerous condition. According to the investigators of GoFundMe, the money donated by the donors is being returned.

Charges and Court Appearance

The woman is facing several counts, including torture, poisoning, creating child exploitation material, and fraud. She is scheduled to appear at Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday. Detective Inspector Paul Dalton called the woman's actions as "repulsive" and highlighted the seriousness of the situation.