Live maggots in baby’s nappy: Serious complaint about mother from Whyalla, South Australia, accused of neglecting her 18-month-old daughter
Shay Ellen Bilney, 24, charged with criminal neglect after daughter allegedly found maggots in her nappy
A stay-at-home mother has faced criminal neglect charges after police allegedly found maggots in her 18-month-old daughter’s overflowing nappies.
South Australian mother Shaw Ellen Bilney, 24, appeared in the Whyalla Magistrates Court charged with one count each of criminal negligence and endangering life.
The court was told her daughter was found in an ‘absolutely horrific state’.
A police prosecutor told the court, ‘The child was sitting in his own urine and faeces, his nappy was overflowing, there were live maggots in the nappy’.
Mother-of-two Ellen Bilney (pictured with her children), 24, appeared in Hyalla Magistrates Court charged with one count each of criminal negligence and endangering life.
The court heard he had previously been charged with assault
‘When the nappy was removed, the skin peeled off, the genitals were sore, [she] There were infected wounds where the velcro was on the nappy.’
According to The Advertiser, Timothy McGrath, who was representing Ms Bilney, told the court she was a woman in ‘serious need’ of help.
‘He seems terribly isolated,’ said Mr McGrath.
Ms Bilney (pictured) was remanded in custody until July 31 when she will appear in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court.
Mr McGrath said when he questioned Ms Bilney about her alleged neglect of her own daughter, his client said in a ‘very pushy and pathetic way’ that she had not changed her daughter’s nappies.
‘I take from her comments, and her level of distress over this, that she is aware … as a result of the trauma that this child has suffered,’ Mr McGrath said.
Magistrate Rodney Oates ordered a report to determine Ms Bilney’s suitability for home detention bail, the Advertiser reported.
Ms Bilney was remanded in custody until July 31 when she will appear in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court.
An SA Police spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia: ‘Following an investigation, on Friday July 21 Whyalla police went to a Whyalla Norrie home and arrested a 24-year-old woman.
‘Two children in her care were taken to hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.’