A wealthy Floreat mother who was jailed for recklessly neglecting her severely underweight teenage daughter has been denied release on bail while she awaits an appeal. The 48-year-old is serving a five-year sentence handed down in January after the 17-year-old was found weighing about 60 pounds due to lack of nutrition, medical care, and emotional support.
Father Also Jailed
The girl’s father received six and a half years in prison for his role, which included forging her birth certificate to make her appear younger. Both parents, who cannot be named, have appealed their convictions, with hearings expected next year.
Bail Request Rejected
The mother argued her trial should have been paused when she fell ill and had to watch remotely. However, Justice Robert Mazza ruled there was no evidence this affected the case’s outcome and denied bail.
Concerning Weight and Health
The teen, an aspiring ballerina, stood about 4 feet 10 inches tall and weighed just around 60 pounds before her 17th birthday. Teachers and parents raised concerns, eventually prompting intervention by Western Australia’s Department of Communities. A doctor later urged the parents to seek immediate emergency care.
Hospital Treatment and Recovery
At Perth Children’s Hospital, doctors diagnosed severe malnutrition. The girl stayed for 50 days, during which she gained about 15 pounds and grew more than an inch.
Staff reported she was emotionally treated as though she were much younger, watching children’s shows like The Wiggles and receiving a Barbie doll for her 17th birthday.
Court: Parents Denied the Obvious
Judge Linda Black said the parents showed “wilful blindness”, refusing to acknowledge their daughter was starving. The parents tightly controlled her diet—strict vegan—and limited her social interaction and medical care.
Daughter Asked Court Not to Jail Her Parents
During sentencing, the teenager pleaded for leniency, saying she feared being left homeless and blamed herself for the situation. The court ultimately decided the neglect was too severe to overlook.
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