Shay Ellen Bilney: Mother who allegedly left her baby sitting in maggot-infested diaper is released on bail on condition she stays away from drugs and kids
- Shay Ellen Bilney released on house arrest bond
- The 24-year-old is charged with criminal negligence
- They allegedly found their daughter with worms in her diaper
A young mother who allegedly left her 18-month-old son sitting in a maggot-infested diaper has been released on bail under house arrest, on the condition that she stay away from drugs and children.
On Monday, Shay Ellen Bilney, 24, faced Port Adelaide Magistrate Court on charges of criminal negligence after police allegedly found her 18-month-old daughter with maggots in her diaper.
The court previously heard that the boy was found in a diaper overflowing with “his own urine and feces” and suffering from peeling skin.
Shay Ellen Bilney (pictured) has been released on bail under house arrest. The 24-year-old is charged with criminal negligence after her 18-month-old daughter was allegedly found with maggots in her diaper.
Magistrate Rodney Oates heard that Ms Bilney had agreed to seek help for her ‘significantly’ poor mental health, which had been made worse by her constant use of marijuana.
‘I understand you are interested in attending counseling or treatment for the use of marijuana.’ he asked.
‘I can see from the reports that marijuana cannot be of benefit to your mental health and you have some significant mental health issues, understand?’
“I have to quit,” Mrs. Bilney replied.
Prosecutors asked the court to make a condition that he is not allowed to come within 100 meters of any child, due to the possibility of ‘repeat’.
“We do not want her near any child under the age of 18, in case of a repeat,” prosecutors said.
Ms Bilney’s lawyer, Timothy McGrath, argued otherwise, saying it would be a crushing condition because her bail address is close to a school.
“It seems unusual that there is a condition of not approaching any children, especially since there is a school nearby,” McGrath said.
‘I’d like to argue against that.
‘If the children were to come out in front of your house, wouldn’t that be rape? It seems unusual to me.
Ms. Bilney’s bail condition (pictured) includes refraining from using marijuana and not contacting or coming within 50 meters of a child
He told the court that Ms Bilney had previously had problems with students at the school who allegedly yelled racially inappropriate things at her as she walked by, but that should not be a reason to impose the condition.
“A couple of kids in front of the schoolyard were racially bullying her, and she came back and pushed one,” McGrath said.
‘Is that why this is suggested?’
She has been accused of child neglect; It’s probably not entirely inappropriate,” Oates said in response.
Mr Oates granted Ms Bilney bail on the grounds that her marijuana use would be better dealt with, but prohibited her from contacting or coming within 50m of a child.
He was also ordered to wear an electronic monitoring device.
“For me, marijuana use can be monitored much better from home detention.
‘If you smoke marijuana, you will be in breach of bail. If you go to a place that is not approved, you will be in violation of your bond,” he said.
Outside of court, family members told reporters that they were there to support her.
Ms Bilney will return to court in December.
