A Queensland father has broken his silence after his former partner was accused of poisoning their baby for social media fame and financial gain. The case has sent shockwaves through their community, as police allege the mother administered dangerous substances to their child, leading to severe health complications.
The father, who has not been charged with any wrongdoing, shared his emotional turmoil on the program A Current Affair. “It’s hard because everybody keeps saying I should’ve recognized the signs,” he said, expressing disbelief that the woman he planned to marry could be involved in such a scandal.
The Allegations and Their Impact
Police claim that the mother poisoned her daughter with Tegretol, a medication not prescribed to the child, causing her to suffer multiple cardiac arrests. The father recounted a conversation with the mother, questioning why their daughter had Tegretol in her system. “Why the f— would she have Tegretol in her system?” he asked, to which she replied, “I don’t know.”
The family, once popular on TikTok, had garnered sympathy and financial support from followers who believed the child was suffering from severe medical conditions. The father expressed remorse to those who donated over $60,000, saying, “I’m sorry.”
Deceptive Social Media Presence
According to police, the mother’s social media activity was a calculated performance to gain sympathy and financial support. Updates on the child’s condition were shared widely, with the mother appearing emotional in videos. “The social media page was getting lots of likes, lots of comments, lots of sympathy,” noted A Current Affair reporter Zarisha Bradley during her interview with the father.
Despite the mother’s arrest in January, the father has faced significant personal fallout. “I’ve lost friends, family members, multiple jobs,” he lamented, adding that he is now fighting for custody of his children.
Legal Proceedings and Medical Concerns
The mother faces charges of administering poison with intent to cause harm, among others. Detective Inspector Paul Dalton stated, “Police will be alleging that between 6th August last year and the 15th of October, the woman administered several prescription and pharmacy medications to the one-year-old girl without medical approval.”
The child, already diagnosed with conditions like tuberous sclerosis, was allegedly given Tegretol, which exacerbated her health issues. “The lethal dosage for a child is 25 milligrams, police say 18 milligrams was found in her system,” the father confirmed.
“She almost died several times, several cardiac arrests, several peri arrests,” the father recounted, highlighting the severity of his daughter’s condition.
Future Implications and Family Dynamics
As the legal case unfolds, the father is allowed only supervised visits with his daughter, who is reportedly doing well under the care of others. Meanwhile, the mother, currently out on bail, has been granted video call access to their child.
In an unexpected twist, a video has surfaced showing the mother speaking at a church about a fabricated medical condition, further casting doubt on her credibility. The father, determined to clear his name and reunite with his children, remains resolute. “Everything,” he said tearfully when asked what it would mean to get his kids back.
The case raises broader questions about the role of social media in personal tragedies and the responsibilities of influencers. As investigations continue, the family’s story serves as a cautionary tale about the potential for deception in the digital age.
