A mother who allegedly neglected her daughter and allowed her to live in a house riddled with human and animal faeces likely won’t be jailed because of her mental health issues, a court has heard.
The woman, aged in her 30s, from western Sydney, has pleaded not guilty to child neglect after her young daughter was taken away by police in January.
The girl was allegedly forced to sit in dirty nappies and clothes for significant amounts of time, while relatives alleged that when they came to pick up the girl for visits, she had bruises and scratches.
The girl’s great aunt alleged to police she saw cockroaches all over the house during visits last year while the bathroom sink was filled with toilet paper and dirty water, according to NSW Supreme Court documents, The Daily Telegraph reported.
She also alleged she saw human and cat faeces all over the two-bedroom unit’s walls.
The great aunt claimed the little girl had marks on her face that may have been ringworm and burns on her hands and legs.
The girl’s great uncle alleged to police that when he came to pick her up, her hair smelt of urine, her clothes also had a stench to them and her shoes didn’t fit.
The mother spent six months in custody but was released on conditional bail last month.
A mother who allegedly neglected her daughter and allowed her to live in a house riddled with human and animal faeces likely won’t be jailed because of her mental health issues, a court has heard (stock image)
She is not allowed to have any children or animal in her care, has a curfew, and must report to police daily.
The woman’s four other children had also earlier been removed from her care, according to court documents.
Despite the horrific alleged crimes, Justice Richard Button said the mother would likely not serve a jail sentence if she was convicted.
‘What’s alleged to have happened here is that she neglected a child very profoundly, and one appreciates … that was a direct result of her mental illness,’ he said, the publication reported.
‘I think it’s imperative that the applicant continue with medication at the discretion of [her] doctor and continue to get help in the community.’
The case will be heard again in November.
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