Influencer Accused of Torturing Infant for Social Media Fame in Brisbane

AUAustralia|

A 34-year-old woman in Queensland, Australia, has been charged with severe offenses including torture and child exploitation after allegedly manipulating the health of her one-year-old daughter to gain online fame and financial support. The Brisbane magistrates court heard that the accused, whose identity is withheld for legal reasons, was implicated in administering multiple drugs to her child, leading to cardiac arrest and unnecessary brain surgery.

According to Crown prosecutor Jack Scott, the woman filmed her child's distress and posted the footage online, attracting donations from followers. The infant had been suffering from tuberous sclerosis complex, a manageable condition that typically does not cause life-threatening complications. Prosecutors allege that the woman administered non-prescribed medication and manipulated hospital monitoring systems in a calculated effort to exacerbate her daughter's symptoms.

Scott presented evidence, including CCTV footage from a hospital that allegedly captured the woman administering drugs to the child. He stressed that her actions resulted in life-threatening complications, which would not have occurred without her interference.

The prosecutor opposed the woman's bail request, arguing that she posed a risk of reoffending if released. Scott expressed concerns that the accused might continue to fabricate medical issues for the child, who is now in care. The defense, led by Mathew Cuskelly, proposed strict bail conditions, including limited supervised contact with the child.

While the magistrate acknowledged that the prosecution’s case appeared strong, he noted the complexity of the situation and the potential length of time before the trial could occur. The woman is set to appear via video link for a decision on her bail.

Weekly Newsletter

Loading...

More from Australia

Australian Girl, 11, Exploited After Adding Stranger on Snapchat

An 11-year-old girl from Australia was reportedly groomed and sexually abused by a 23-year-old man after she added him on Snapchat as part of a competition with her friend. According to The Guardian, the victim, who was competing to achieve a Snap score of 100,000, used the app's 'Quick Add' feature, which suggested connections based on shared interests. The perpetrator, Jai Clapp, initially lied about his age, claiming to be 17. Over a span of 12 days, he groomed the girl before meeting her three times in a local park, where he sexually assaulted her. A judge described Clapp's actions as "abhorrent," and he received an eight-year and ten-month prison sentence, along with a four-year, eight-month non-parole period. Snap Inc., the parent company of Snapchat, stated that any sexual exploitation of minors is horrific and against their policies. Beginning December 2025, the Australian government plans to restrict Snapchat use to individuals 16 and older, with current policies allowing users from the age of 13.
AUAustralia

Australian Scientists Discover Breakthrough Molecule to Combat Neurodegenerative Diseases

A research team from Australia's Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research in Melbourne has identified a small molecule that may help prevent cell death associated with neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. According to findings published in *Science Advances* on May 12, 2025, the molecule targets a protein known as BAX, which is responsible for cell damage and death. Professor Guillaume Lessene, a key researcher in the study, expressed excitement about the discovery, stating, "Turning off BAX alone may be sufficient to limit cell death in neurons." After screening more than 100,000 chemical compounds, the team found that the molecule can inhibit BAX's function, effectively preserving cell viability by preventing mitochondrial damage. This breakthrough addresses a critical gap in the treatment of neurodegenerative conditions, as developing drugs to block cell death has proven difficult. The research suggests potential pathways for creating next-generation therapies that could alter the course of diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, offering new hope for patients.
AUAustralia

Family Member Charged with Manslaughter in Death of Four-Week-Old Baby

A 26-year-old man was charged with manslaughter concerning the death of a four-week-old baby nearly two years after the infant’s passing, as reported by police in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales. The accused, described as a family member, brought the critically ill child to Wagga Wagga Base Hospital in July 2023, presenting with multiple broken bones and other allegedly inflicted injuries. Tragically, the infant succumbed to his injuries three days later at Sydney Children’s Hospital. Detective Inspector Peter Owen noted that the incident has deeply affected the local community, emphasizing the tragic nature of infant deaths, particularly those involving suspected inflicted injuries. The suspect was granted bail on a $10,000 surety following his court appearance on Friday and is scheduled to return to Wagga Wagga Local Court in July. The investigation into the case involved assistance from the NSW Crime Commission, highlighting the significant effort by local detectives over the past two years. The baby is survived by two siblings, according to police statements.
AUAustralia
All Australia News ->