CNN
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A woman in Australia has been charged with poisoning a child and posting videos of the infant’s suffering online to attract viewers and donations, police said Thursday.
The 34-year-old Sunshine Coast woman allegedly “administered several unauthorized prescription drugs and pharmaceuticals to a one-year-old girl known to her without medical authorization”, according to a Queensland Police statement.
“It will be further alleged that the woman, in defiance of medical advice, went to great lengths to obtain unauthorized medications, including old medications intended for another person available at her home,” the statement said .
Police say the woman, who has not been officially named, poisoned the child between August 6 and October 15, 2024, when medical staff at the hospital where the child was admitted shares his suspicions with the detectives.
“While the child was subjected to immense distress and pain, it appears that the woman filmed and posted videos of the child,” police said.
“It is alleged that the content produced exploited the child and was used to attract monetary donations and online followers.”
Tests for unauthorized drugs returned a positive result on Jan. 7, and the woman was arrested Thursday, police said.
She was charged with five counts of administering poison with intent to harm, three counts of preparing to commit crimes with dangerous things and one count each of torture, making a material of child exploitation and fraud, police said.
Detective Inspector Paul Dalton of the Morningside Child Protection and Investigation Unit (CPIU) said the unit deals with the “worst offenses against children”.
“We will do everything in our power to remove this child from harm’s way and hold any offenders accountable,” Dalton said in the release.
“There is no excuse for harming a child, especially a one-year-old who depends on others for his care and survival. »
The woman appeared in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday and was remanded in custody until January 28.