A woman from Hervey Bay in southern Queensland, who tried to kill her toddler in a murder-suicide because she "could not bear" another woman raising her child, has been jailed for five years.
WARNING: This story contains details that some readers may find distressing.
The 21-year-old – who cannot be named to protect the identification of the child — pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of her 14-month-old son in Eli Waters in August 2019.
During a sentencing hearing in Brisbane on Friday, the Supreme Court heard the woman had tried to kill the toddler in the backyard.
The court heard she then tried to take her own life but she "became remorseful" and immediately started to scream.
Neighbours heard her yelling "save my baby" and "someone please help my baby" and one man rushed into the yard to try and resuscitate the boy, the court heard.
Crown prosecutor Caroline Marco told the court in the hours before the attempted murder, she was "feeling overwhelmed" and "unhappy" and had sent messages to her partner about her plans.
"She informed him she intended to end her and her son's life," Ms Marco said.
"She could not bear the thought of her child being raised by another woman in her absence."
The court heard the woman's "distressed state" had been triggered by a post made by the child's biological father on social media.
"Which she interpreted as some form of rejection of either her or her baby," Ms Marco told the court.
'Defenceless and vulnerable'
Defence lawyer Callan Cassidy told the court his client was a teenager at the time who was "struggling" with mental health issues and was deeply remorseful for her offending.
"It is truly a tragic case," Mr Cassidy said.
The court heard at the time the woman suffered from depression and had symptoms of PTSD and had also consumed alcohol and medications before the offending.
In 2020, her matter was sent to the Mental Health Court, but it was ruled the woman was not of unsound mind at the time and she was fit for trial, the court heard.
When considering the sentence, Justice Paul Freeburn described the offence as a "terrible one" and said it was a "great relief" they boy had since made a full recovery.
"He was of course defenceless and vulnerable," he said.
The woman was sentenced to five years in jail and was given a parole eligibility date in 12 months.
