Brisbane: Social media influencer accused of poisoning baby to grow online presence faces 'complex' case

The case of a social media influencer accused of poisoning her baby contains so many medical documents that her solicitor had to hire specialist staff, a magistrate has heard.

Queensland Police allege a 34-year-old woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, gave her one-year-old child unauthorised prescription and pharmacy medications between August and October 2024 to grow her social media profile and gain $60,000 in donations.

The woman, who is on bail, was not required to appear on Monday in Brisbane Magistrates Court when her charges were briefly mentioned.

Her solicitor, Matthew Cuskelly, appeared by phone and told magistrate Anthony Gett he was seeking a further adjournment.

“We continue to review the brief (of evidence) ... I have recruited an assistant with a medical background who is reviewing quite a voluminous amount of medical documentation,” Mr Cuskelly.

“It is quite a large and complex brief.”

The prosecutor did not oppose the adjournment and said there was further material to disclose involving DNA.

“It relates to a pill seized from the hospital that was sent for DNA testing and the interim report was returned detecting the DNA of the defendant,” the prosecutor said.

The woman was charged in January 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.

Prosecutors have submitted to the woman’s previous bail hearing that the infant had been hospitalised for tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), a genetic condition that results in benign tumours in multiple organs.

Crown prosecutor Jack Scott previously told magistrate Stephen Courtney the woman did not accept that her infant had a manageable, non-fatal condition and had given the infant multiple drugs.

“Her actions have created a serious extra symptom … on one occasion a code blue cardiac arrest requiring resuscitation,” he said.

Mr Scott previously alleged that on October 3, 2024 the woman had moved a video camera that was monitoring the infant during a brain activity test “to avoid detection” of her actions.

“She was captured on footage with a syringe. She administered via the nasogastric tube (attached to the infant). She used the opportunity while hidden by a blanket,” he said.

“About 30 to 40 minutes after this incident (the infant) was rendered completely unconscious.”

Mr Scott alleged the various drugs given to the baby may have resulted in unnecessary brain surgery intended to find the cause of seizures.

The defence solicitor previously told Mr Courtney an email from health authorities had stated the child “continues to present symptoms” of seizures.

Mr Cuskelly has submitted that his client had never been found guilty of any crime and was facing a court case that might last two or three years.

“My client is entitled to a fair trial. Police have the onus to establish beyond reasonable doubt,” he said at a previous bail hearing.

The woman was released on bail 11 days after her arrest on January 17.

Mr Gett on Monday adjourned the matter until a further mention on August 1.

1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) / Lifeline 13 11 14 / Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25).