Queensland childcare worker charged with torture of baby boy in Far North service

A Queensland childcare worker has been charged with multiple offences, including torture, following allegations of repeated assaults on a one-year-old boy at Injinoo Childcare Centre in Far North Queensland.

The 46-year-old woman appeared in court last week, accused of physically abusing the child on several occasions between 30 August and 5 September 2024. According to reports by ABC Investigations, the educator was allegedly seen smothering the child’s face with bedding, shaking him, hitting him on the head, and forcefully throwing him onto furniture and the floor.

The alleged abuse took place in the baby room at Injinoo Childcare Centre, a service not covered by the National Quality Framework (NQF) as it receives direct federal funding. This exclusion means the centre is not assessed against the national quality standards that apply to most Australian early childhood services. Instead, it is regulated under Queensland’s Education and Care Services Act.

A spokesperson for the Queensland Department of Education confirmed that regulatory action had been taken in relation to the service, with the matter currently under review.

The alleged offender, a Mapoon woman, was initially employed at the centre as a cook before being promoted to an educator in July 2024. Queensland Police Service stated that she faces charges of torture, assault and assault occasioning bodily harm.

The child’s parents, who have chosen not to be identified, described how the incident has profoundly affected their lives.

“We had to move house, move jobs, pack up our lives,” the father said, adding that their son now wakes up screaming at night.

The boy’s mother spoke of ongoing anxiety and trauma, saying the allegations had destroyed her confidence in leaving her child in care.

“It’s caused me great anxiety around trusting people with our son,” she said.

The case comes amid growing scrutiny of Australia’s early childhood sector, with ABC Investigations exposing multiple incidents of abuse and failures in regulatory oversight. 

NSW Greens MP Abigail Boyd described the latest allegations as “gut-wrenching” and renewed calls for a royal commission into the childcare sector, arguing that systemic issues have been ignored for too long.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese previously dismissed calls for a royal commission, describing cases of abuse as isolated incidents. However, ongoing reports have intensified pressure on governments to strengthen protections for children in care.

In a statement, Injinoo Childcare Centre said it takes all child protection matters seriously but declined to answer specific questions while inquiries are ongoing.

As the matter is before the courts, Queensland Police has declined to provide further comment.

This article is based on reporting from ABC Investigations, please see here.