The mother of Pheobe Bishop has revealed her daughter lived with a disability, and slammed local rumours she will shut down her NDIS-registered business.

Pheobe, 17, went missing near Queensland’s Bundaberg Airport about 8.30am on May 15 after booking a trip to WA to visit her boyfriend. Last Friday, officers discovered the teenager’s remains near Goodnight Scrub National Park.

The teen’s housemates, James Wood, 34, and Tanika Bromley, 33, have been charged with her murder, three weeks after she missed her flight and vanished. Police allege they moved her body more than once.

Daily Mail Australia earlier revealed that Bromley was employed by Pheobe’s mum as a support worker, until she was made redundant from her role last year. 

This week rumours have circulated in the Gin Gin community that Pheobe was an NDIS recipient through her mother’s company. 

Claims also emerged that Smiley’s Support Services, the business run by Pheobe’s mum Kylie Johnson, was ‘unregistered’ with NDIS.

However, NDIS records show that Smiley’s has approved registration status and is in force until it’s up for renewal in February 2026. 

Ms Johnson took to social media on Thursday to hit back at the allegations.

Tanika Bromley (pictured left with Kylie Johnson) was employed at Smiley's Support Services before she was made redundant from her role last year

Tanika Bromley (pictured left with Kylie Johnson) was employed at Smiley’s Support Services before she was made redundant from her role last year

Pheobe's mum Kylie Johnson (pictured) took to social media on Thursday to hit back at the cruel allegations

Pheobe’s mum Kylie Johnson (pictured) took to social media on Thursday to hit back at the cruel allegations

‘We’ve heard a few rumours about ourselves lately, however, we’d like to assure you all that Smiley’s has NO intention of closing,’ she wrote, adding that the business was ‘continuing as usual’.

Ms Johnson implied the rumours had come from other NDIS providers in the area.

‘Imagine people from your own industry using this tragedy to benefit themselves?’ she wrote.

‘After 23 years of working between the disability and aged care sector I’m actually pretty disappointed.

‘My journey started as a carer, cleaner and worked in dementia specific units and aged care homes. I’ve worked and studied for the last 23 years to be professionally where I am today. 

‘My company was established at the same time our NDIS registration was applied for. We were approved for all levels of support that we provide.’ 

Ms Johnson mentioned that ‘our last audit in June 2024 was completed as per the NDIS Guidelines’. 

‘This means we had meet the significant NDIS industry standards which we did with beautiful feedback,’ she added.

‘This has given my staff a high level of confidence and transparency in their service delivery.

‘Team Smiley’s won’t let the bullies and trolls WIN and even though I’m not there at the moment, this company has an amazing team that continues to go above and beyond for everyone. 

Pheobe Bishop (pictured), 17, went missing near Queensland's Bundaberg Airport about 8.30am on May 15

Pheobe Bishop (pictured), 17, went missing near Queensland’s Bundaberg Airport about 8.30am on May 15

‘Your disability only defines you if you allow it to and Phee never let hers define her.’

Ms Johnson did not specify what Pheobe’s disability was. However, before she disappeared, the teen had shared a post to TikTok about bipolar disorder.

‘Having a partner with bpd means… getting blocked or left over small incidents… they will say very harsh things they don’t mean when having an episode,’ the post said, apparently in an attempt to explain her sometimes unpredictable behaviour.

Ms Johnson previously said Pheobe ‘didn’t fit the mainstream school model’ and struggled with her education until she was enrolled at the alternative Y School in Bundaberg.

Pheobe’s final posts to social media suggested the troubled teen had fallen out with her mother and would not return home. She also claimed in text messages to her aunt, Caz Johnson, that her mum had told her to ‘get out’.

The rubbish-strewn flat where she lived with Wood and Bromley was just down the road from her mother’s business. 

Prior to registering Smiley’s Support Services in 2021, Ms Johnson ran another Queensland business called Butterfly Spiritual Healing and Massage from 2015 to 2017, ABN records show. 

The business offered services such as reiki healing and aura cleansing.  

James Wood (pictured) has been charged with Pheobe's alleged murder

James Wood (pictured) has been charged with Pheobe’s alleged murder

NDIS declined to comment when asked if Pheobe was a care recipient, citing privacy reasons. 

Support workers are potentially subject to a range of requirements prior to employment, such as working with children checks and police checks. 

Pheobe’s cousin Whitney Woodfield replied to Ms Johnson’s post, adding: ‘These rumours are utterly ridiculous.

‘The things this company has done for the community is incredible

‘Phee would never’ve been okay if they were taken down over this. Proud of you for standing your ground.’ 

Neither Wood nor Bromley appeared in court when Pheobe’s alleged murder was mentioned in Bundaberg Magistrates Court last Friday. 

They have not entered pleas and have now been sent to jail on remand -after previously being being in police custody for several days after they were charged.

Wood is now being held at Brisbane Correctional Centre, and with Bromley in Brisbane Women’s Correctional Centre. 

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