Woman charged with child murder bid seeks bail on mental health grounds
A woman charged with attempted murder of her three children seeks bail on mental health grounds.
The woman was arrested in March after she was found next to her submerged car with her three children, all aged under 12. The woman allegedly drove the vehicle off a boat ramp into a creek on March 1, locked the doors, and drove at speed into the water.
The woman is also accused of forcing her children's heads under water. The woman's barrister told the Victorian Supreme Court on Thursday that a recent psychiatric report raised the possibility of a mental impairment defence.
The barrister said she was experiencing an acute mental health episode at the time and is no longer in that state after treatment at a secure mental health facility. The barrister argued she posed no risk to the community if released to live with her parents, with no contact with her children.
Justice Amanda Fox will hand down her bail decision on Friday.
- Three, all aged under 12
- Children involved
- March 1
- Incident date
- Friday
- Decision date
Why it mattersThe outcome determines whether the case proceeds to trial or whether mental health grounds change its legal direction.
AustraliaThis case has significant implications for how courts balance child safety with mental health support in serious criminal matters in Victoria.
Corroborated bythenightly.com.au
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