A Brisbane mother has allegedly starved her baby almost to death and used the girl's plight to raise more than $15,000 though GoFundMe.
The 27-year-old, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, is charged with torture, grievous bodily harm and fraud.
Her daughter, now aged 14 months, was in such a malnourished state when she was admitted to hospital in July that doctors did not expect her to survive.
She was hospitalised for a month and had to be fed through a drip, but has since gained 50 per cent in body weight.
It's alleged her mother, who has three older children, set up a fundraising site on GoFundMe using her baby's condition to raise more than $15,000.
She posted photos of her little girl lying in a hospital bed in February and said that the doctors could not figure out why her she was so malnourished.
"We haven't given up on hope, but it's the unknown and not knowing how long we will have her with us which is the hardest to deal with," she wrote.
"Words can't describe how greatful (sic) we are in the generosity everyone has shown in helping our family through this difficult time."
The mother-of-four faced Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday and was granted bail to reappear on December 20.
She has denied any involvement in restricting her child's diet.
The woman, who describes herself as full-time stay at home parent, claims to have suffered from bulimia since she was a teenager, and has also been diagnosed with anxiety and depression.
She also claims the children's father was physically and mentally abusive towards her and that one of her other children was conceived when he sexually assaulted her.
The mother's abuse was apparently only towards her youngest child and she is said to care very well for her other children, aged six, five and three.
In a letter to the court her doctor said she now wants to have more contact with her baby to try and bond with her.
The toddler's speech and motor skills have been impaired, and she could suffer from lifelong problems as a result of the abuse.
She is in the care of her grandparents and said to be doing well.
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