Mother charged for secretly recording vulnerable son at school
Skye Cooper was charged after sewing a recorder into her non-verbal son's clothing when he showed signs of distress at school.
Cooper's seven-year-old came home with what looked like bruises and became distressed during school runs. Her son has severe epilepsy, autism, global development delay and is non-verbal.
Worried, she contacted a disability advocate who advised secretly recording him. The audio captured a school aide threatening the child: "you hurt me, I'll hurt you".
Cooper pulled her son out and reported the incident to police. She was then charged with breaching Victoria's listening device laws.
The aide later apologised, saying she didn't remember the exchange but was "extremely remorseful". Cooper has been offered a diversion: pay $300 to charity and avoid a criminal record.
She's now calling for changes to the law to protect parents of vulnerable children.
- 7 years old
- Son's age
- February 2025
- School entry
Why it mattersA parent's attempt to protect a vulnerable child became a criminal matter, exposing a legal gap for families seeking evidence of abuse when their child cannot speak for themselves.
AustraliaThe case highlights how Victorian law treats secretly recording at schools, affecting parents of non-verbal or disabled children who fear their kid is being harmed.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 5 d ago
