A WA mother will learn her fate after her newborn baby was found dead in a freezer.
Share this @internewscast.com

The mother of a baby found dead in a freezer after she concealed her pregnancy has avoided jail time.

Monique Ellen Burton gave birth to a child, known as Baby Burton, in secret in the lounge room of her home at Geraldton in Western Australia in August 2022.

The now 35-year-old said the child was stillborn.

A WA mother will learn her fate after her newborn baby was found dead in a freezer.
The mother of a baby found dead in a freezer after she concealed her pregnancy has avoided jail time. (9News)

She wrapped the body up in her leggings before concealing the baby in a black garbage bag which she hid behind her couch.

Burton concealed her pregnancy from her long-term partner, Shaun Balaam, who was not the child’s biological father. She continued to lie about her condition, even when he accompanied her to the hospital and faced questions from medical staff.

Later, when Balaam popped home he found the bag, he thought he may have felt a head inside and hid the bag in a freezer on their veranda.

Burton, still in hospital, was unaware he did this at the time but later told police what happened.

This incident was not the first time Burton had hidden a pregnancy. To justify her pregnancy symptoms, such as a swollen belly, she falsely claimed to have liver problems.

Freezer
When Shaun Balaam popped home he found the bag, he thought he may have felt a head inside and hid the bag in a freezer on their veranda. (9News)

She told police her memory of the events was “really fuzzy” and she disassociated.

Earlier this week, Burton pleaded guilty to one count of interfering with a corpse to prevent or prejudice an investigation.

During a sentencing hearing in the District Court on Friday, Judge Darren Renton remarked that determining the cause of Baby Burton’s death was not possible because the baby had been placed in the freezer, though it was likely a stillbirth.

“You said there was no noise from the baby and he looked like a doll,” he noted.

The judge handed Burton a suspended jail sentence of 19 months, stating that her intent in hiding the pregnancy was to avoid the fallout that would come if the truth were revealed.

“Your actions showed a lack of respect for Baby Burton, and the community would rightly find them objectionable,” said Judge Renton.

He said she had expressed significant remorse and had a low risk of reoffending.

Additionally, Burton faced fraud charges tied to a GoFundMe campaign initiated by another person, aimed at covering costs related to her fake liver condition. Although she did not start the fundraiser, the judge pointed out that she passively received more than $3000 from it.

Balaam pleaded guilty to a similar crime and was previously handed an 18 month community corrections order.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Casually dressed young mixed race woman with wavy hair spending day at home, cradling her infant child, wearing baby carrier. Hispanic mother watching her adorable son sleeping in wrap sling

Why the Healthcare System Is Unprepared for Older Mothers Giving Birth

Maternal care systems in Australia need to improve to cater to the…

Bob Katter Responds Contentiously to Questions About Lebanese Heritage

Independent federal Member of Parliament Bob Katter threatened physical violence towards a…
Australian warship joins naval exercise off disputed South China Sea shoal

Australian Naval Vessel Participates in Military Drills Near Contentious South China Sea Shoal

Australia, Canada, and the Philippines have dispatched three warships and aircraft for…
Pentagon casts doubt over Defence Minister's 'meeting' with US counterpart

Pentagon Questions Validity of Defense Minister’s Claimed Meeting with US Counterpart

Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles narrowly avoided a diplomatic oversight while visiting…
Andrew Burow has been missing from his home in Kelvin Grove since August 20, but the matter was not reported to police until four days later.

Concerns Grow for Missing Brisbane Man as Police Set Up Crime Scene to Aid Search Efforts

Concerns are escalating for a man who mysteriously vanished in Brisbane over…

Tony Blair Attends White House Talks Amid Escalating Israeli Tank Presence Near Gaza City

On Thursday, the Israeli military continued its operations near Gaza City, while…

Qantas Sees $1.6 Billion Profit, CEO Highlights Growth in Asia Routes

Qantas has ordered another 20 Airbus A321XLR jets after making $1.6 billion…
A missing persons poster of Emmanuel Haro in California, USA.

Parents Accused of Faking Kidnapping Now Face Murder Charges in Death of Their 7-Month-Old Son

The call came to police on the night of August 14 and…

Porepunkah Shooting Alert: Police Warn Public Amid Ongoing Manhunt for Suspected Shooter

Police have warned anyone caught harbouring a fugitive accused of shooting dead…
What do these people have in common? They've all worked at McDonald's.

Can beginning your career at McDonald’s actually boost employability for Australians?

What do Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Today Extra‘s Sylvia Jeffreys, and Paralympic…
The moon is seen during a total lunar eclipse  on March 14, 2025 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

A Rare ‘Blood Moon’ to Illuminate Australian Skies Next Week – Here’s How to Catch It

Millions of Australians across the country have the chance to witness a…
This game was already 'incredible'. It just got another reason to play

This Game Was Already ‘Amazing’ and Now There’s Even More Reason to Play

Kirby and the Forgotten Land was already an incredible game.  It is…