Testing finalised in case of Qld influencer accused of child’s torture

Forensic testing in the case of a Queensland social media influencer accused of deliberately poisoning her one-year-old has been finalised, a court has heard.

The Sunshine Coast mother was arrested over allegations she tortured her daughter, with the girl put through “such severe emotional distress”, she could have died.

Police have said the woman, who cannot be identified under Queensland laws, committed the alleged offences between August 6 and October 15 last year to solicit online followers and thousands of dollars in donations.

The mother during her arrest earlier this year. Credit: QPS

Prosecutors alleged she hid the girl under a blanket before administering an unprescribed drug through a nasal tube, rendering the child unconscious.

In June, the prosecution said further material was being disclosed to the woman’s defence team. This related to a pill that was seized from the hospital and sent for DNA testing.

The court previously heard that according to an interim report, the woman’s DNA was allegedly detected on the pill.

Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday heard summary results had been given to prosecutors but would require further review.

The court heard Forensic Science Queensland, the body responsible for forensic testing in the state’s court cases, advised this additional scrutiny could be done within a month.

A large number of exhibits were also still being disclosed to the mother’s defence team, the prosecution said.

Her lawyer told the court he was not expecting any other material to require further testing.

Deputy Chief Magistrate Anthony Gett adjourned the case to enable the defence to reach a position on the DNA results.

The case will return to court in November, and the woman remained out on bail.

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