Police arrest mother who allegedly gave her 18-month-old baby prescription medicine

A MOTHER has been accused of repeatedly poisoning her baby after an alleged near-fatal overdose caught her out.

The 20-year-old woman will face court today charged over the alleged poisoning of the 18-month-old in Sydney’s south west.

In January, detectives from the State Crime Command’s Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad started an investigation after the boy was treated for a near-fatal overdose of a prescription medication.

Police were told the child was admitted to Sydney Children’s Hospital in January with high levels of Tegretol in his system.

Tegretol is a medication used primarily in the treatment of epilepsy and neuropathic pain.

The boy was not prescribed the medication at that time.

Following extensive inquiries, the woman was arrested at a home at Lurnea about 7.30am today.

She was taken to Liverpool Police Station and charged with seven counts of using poison to endanger life or inflict grievous bodily harm.

Police will allege in court the woman administered the drug to the child without a current prescription and contrary to medical instruction.

The woman was refused bail to appear at Liverpool Local Court this afternoon.

The child has since been released from hospital and is currently in the care of relatives.