The mum-of-four, who has not been named to protect the identity of the child, has denied having harmed her child after being accused of drugging her child to attract likes on social media
A popular “mummy influencer” has been accused of harming her one-year-old baby for likes.
The online figure from Australia is at the centre of horrific allegations that she faked her infant’s brain tumour by administering drugs, and setting up a fundraiser which has raised $60,000AUD (£30,897) for the child’s hospital bills.
The mum-of-four, who has not been named to protect the identity of the child, racked up a million followers after detailing the youngster’s illness through her social media accounts. Hospital staff contacted cops after the updates she was posting online didn’t match with the treatment they’d administered.
The mum broke her silence yesterday when contacted by 9News. She said: “It is so unfair and it’s getting addressed at the moment with the proper counsel.” When asked if she’d hurt her daughter, she responded: “No, I can’t talk to you, I’ve said this is a matter that cannot be spoken on.”
In June, a GoFundMe campaign was launched that went on to raise $60,000AUD from donors concerned for the child’s welfare. The funds have now been frozen after Queensland Police confirmed it was investigating the woman.
A GoFundMe spokesperson said: “Our Trust and Safety specialists are investigating the accusations made as part of our standard due diligence process. This includes cooperating with police investigations. We are committed to being the safest place to give and have spent over a decade building the teams, technologies and policies to protect Australian generosity.
“This includes the GoFundMe Giving Guarantee, which guarantees a refund in the rare case something is not right. Whilst the investigation is ongoing, no further funds can be raised, or withdrawn.”
The child’s father, who is estranged from his ex-wife, also came out to accuse the mother of wrongdoing. He said that he was oblivious to what the mother is alleged to have done, and believed that the surgeries would help stop the tumours and seizures.
In a social media post, the devastated dad said: “For what it’s worth, I had no idea about what [the mother] was doing to [his child]. I pushed for those surgeries because in my heart I felt it would help.
“I didn’t realise [the child] was [allegedly] being drugged the entire time causing her symptoms to be what they were. I do my best to love and protect my children. I should’ve done better for them. I’m sorry I couldn’t protect [the child] the way I should have.”
Queensland Police confirmed the baby is now in foster care and appears to be recovering. They added that no charges have yet been laid in the case.
