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Child neglect: NDIS funds misused?
19 Apr
Summary
- Child was severely emaciated, exceeding doctors' experience.
- NDIS funds totaling $100,000 lacked invoices for services.
- Child suffered medical, emotional, and physical neglect.
A child, Tiffani, died in a severely emaciated state, a condition that reportedly surpassed the experience of medical professionals who had treated Rett syndrome for decades. Despite substantial National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funding totaling $100,000, an investigator could not find invoices detailing how the money was spent on her care.
Prosecutors allege Tiffani suffered profound neglect, including medical, emotional, and physical neglect. In the four months leading up to her death in April 2022, she reportedly had minimal interaction, learning, or developmental support, and received no medical treatment. Her last medical contact was in June 2019.
Evidence presented in court indicated that Tiffani had been funded through the NDIS since 2019. However, there was no demonstrable evidence that this funding was used for allied health support, services, or products for her. Teachers from her special school remembered her as constantly hungry and unsettled, with one preparing extra food and clothing for her.
Both Tiffani's guardians, Richardson and Scholten, have cases currently before the court. Scholten reportedly told Tiffani's grandmother she bathed the child after her death, stating it was because Tiffani was cold.
