A young mother who left her 18-month-old daughter to suffer in nappy filled with faeces and maggots for four days gave birth to another child after she was charged with neglect.

Shay Ellen Bilney, 26, was told her actions were ‘inexcusable’ when she was sentenced in Adelaide District Court last month after pleading guilty to the neglect of her baby girl in 2023.

Yet, the mum-of-three from Whyalla on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula avoided jail time, despite a six month sentence.

The sentence was suspended on a two-year good behaviour bond after the judge took into account her troubled upbringing and lack of access to support.

The court heard that two children were found in urine-soaked pyjamas during a social worker’s visit to Bilney’s home in early July 2023.

The young mum agreed to take her daughter, who suffered a nappy rash, to the doctor and she was not charged.

However, Bilney’s uncle recalled visiting the home days later to find there was no food for the children and the toddler’s severe rash covered her groin, inner legs, and lower back.

He returned four days later after he received a call from Bilney, the court heard.

Shay Ellen Bilney (pictured) left her 18-month-old baby in a nappy filled with faeces and maggots for four days

Shay Ellen Bilney (pictured) left her 18-month-old baby in a nappy filled with faeces and maggots for four days

The court heard Bilney turned to methamphetamine use after suffering a miscarriage in 2023

The court heard Bilney turned to methamphetamine use after suffering a miscarriage in 2023

‘You better come and get these f***ing kids because I can’t be f***ed getting up for them,’ she told him.

The uncle found the two children sitting on a couch which had a ‘strong smell of urine and faeces’.

Further inspection of the 18-month-old found her covered in faeces from the waist down and maggots in her nappy.

The toddler’s skin was blistered from her toes to her groin and peeled in areas on both her legs, consistent with injuries from being in prolonged contact with urine.

‘Your daughter appeared to be wearing the same nappy she was in four days earlier,’ Judge Michelle Sutcliffe told Bilney during sentencing.

‘The skin changes were so severe that (the victim) was at significant risk of secondary infection without medical attention.

A search of Bilney’s home also revealed baby bottles containing spoiled milk while an ice pipe and a ‘small bag of a crystalline substance’ were found in her bedroom.

‘There was no designated sleeping area for the children, and it appeared they had been sleeping on the couch,’ Judge Sutcliffe added.

Bilney was sentenced to six months' jail, which was suspended on a two year good behaviour bond

Bilney was sentenced to six months’ jail, which was suspended on a two year good behaviour bond

Tanya Chumak, on behalf on Bilney, last month made a submission to the court claiming the mother had used methamphetamine but stopped when she fell pregnant with her second child, the victim.

‘However, Ms Bilney admits that following a miscarriage in early 2023 she relapsed into using methamphetamine and slowly over time her care for herself and her children deteriorated,’ Ms Chumak said. 

A psychologist report additionally claimed Bilney was raised in an unhealthy environment that saw her exposed to drug and alcohol abuse as well as violence.

Her childhood meant she ‘did not learn key life skills and developed maladaptive coping strategies’. 

Judge Sutcliffe said of the report: ‘In her opinion, your substance abuse, lack of support and absence of early intervention have been the primary contributing factors to the offence of criminal neglect.

Bilney gave birth to another child after being charged with criminal negligence. All three children were removed from her care

Bilney gave birth to another child after being charged with criminal negligence. All three children were removed from her care

‘I accept (her) observation that the offence occurred in the context of you experiencing exceptionally poor mental health, and a lack of support, rather than malicious intent.’

The judge also noted Bilney had reached out for help, which prevented her daughter’s condition from worsening. 

Bilney gave birth to her third child after being charged with criminal neglect, which she pleaded guilty to.

All three children were removed from Bilney’s care. 

She has been banned from consuming drugs and alcohol during her two year good behaviour bond.

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