Mum child bash charge
A KELSO mother has been charged over the assault of her baby girl four months after allegedly trying to cover up the cause of her injuries.
The 22-year-old woman, who cannot be named to protect her victim, was arrested and charged with grievous bodily harm on Friday over the incident.
Police will allege that on March 29, the baby was home alone with her mother when she was seriously assaulted.
Police will then allege the mother called the ambulance the day of the assault and provided emergency services with a different version of events.
The girl was taken to hospital by paramedics in a serious condition, suffering a very severe head injury and a number of other problems.
Townsville Child Protection and Investigation Unit officer-in-charge Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Miles said police started their investigation after the girl was brought to hospital.
“Police are alleging there was an application of force directed at the child … we’re not alleging the use of any weapons at this point in time, but our investigations are still ongoing in relation to other aspects of the injuries,” Detective Miles said.
The mother was driven into the Townsville Watchhouse on Friday afternoon, her hair tied back off her face, looking directly into the Townsville Bulletin’s camera, dressed in a polo shirt and flanked by a detective.
Police expect she will be released on watchouse bail and face court at a later date.
Detective Miles addressed the time which had passed between the alleged offence date and the mother’s arrest, saying it was important their investigation was thorough.
“Police are alleging the version of events provided is not consistent with the injuries.
“(With) these investigations we take our time and the purpose is to ensure we have the evidence based on medical opinions.
“We cover all aspects of what we need to do as part of being confident with our assessment of how the injuries occurred.”
Police are not alleging that anyone else was involved.
Detective Miles said his team were a skilled bunch of detectives, but were also human.
“We deal with these sorts of allegations regularly, any injury to a child is traumatic.
“We are all parents in our own right as well so it’s always quite traumatic for us and to see a significant injury like this is disheartening.”
The woman will face court at a later date.