Accused Queensland torturer allegedly poisoned one-year-old and posted videos seeking donations

Queensland police have charged a woman with five counts of administering poison with intent to harm, three counts of preparation to commit crimes with dangerous things and one count each of torture, making child exploitation material and fraud. Photograph: Aaron Bunch/AAP

A 34-year-old Queensland woman has been arrested and charged after allegedly poisoning a one-year-old girl and posting videos of her in what police describe as “immense distress and pain” to solicit donations and build an online following.

Police laid charges, including torture, against the Sunshine Coast woman on Thursday, on the back of what they said were extensive investigations after concerns were raised by medical staff from a hospital in Brisbane’s south.