An Australian influencer found herself under fire after a controversial decision during her Bali vacation led to a public apology. Taleigha Skye, a social media personality from Perth, left her six-month-old son alone in a locked hotel room while she ventured out for a foot massage.
The incident quickly sparked outrage, with many drawing unsettling comparisons to the infamous case of Madeleine McCann. In 2007, the three-year-old disappeared from a holiday apartment in Portugal, while her parents were dining at a nearby restaurant—a mystery that captured global attention.
Taleigha had initially shared a TikTok video, now removed, where she was seen holding a video monitor to keep tabs on her son as she moved from her hotel to the massage appointment. However, her attempt to justify her actions only fueled the backlash.
The video was reposted on the Facebook page TeaTime, where it faced harsh criticism. Users expressed concern, echoing the fears that arose from the McCann family’s tragic experience in Praia da Luz.
Faced with mounting criticism, Taleigha Skye issued an apology to her followers, acknowledging the gravity of her decision and the widespread alarm it caused. As discussions continue online, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the vigilance required when caring for young children, especially in unfamiliar settings.
Madeleine McCann vanished from an apartment in Portugal’s Praia da Luz while her parents dined at a nearby tapas bar.
Australian influencer Taleigha Skye (pictured) has been forced to apologise to followers after leaving her child alone in a locked hotel room while holidaying in Bali
‘Is this normal practice? This mum is in Bali with her two young kids, and has left the baby (under one) alone in the resort room,’ shared one user on the Facebook page.
‘She’s left the room and walked away to have a 30-minute foot massage done?
‘It seemed she walked some distance too… it looks like she’s staying in a resort or similar.
‘If this is normal practice, how do you not have a literal panic attack at doing this?’
‘It’s giving Madeleine McCann. [Her] parents allegedly left her alone in the resort room,’ commented one user on the thread.
‘Did we not learn from Madeleine McCann?’ another person wrote.
A third agreed: ‘In this day and age, after Madeleine McCann, why would any parent do this? I’m shook.’
‘My instant thoughts, I could never [do this] in Australia, let alone a foreign country,’ replied another TeaTime user.
In a now-deleted TikTok clip, Taleigha was shown holding a video monitoring device, so she could keep an eye on her son as she walked from her accommodation to her appointment
Critics have likened the situation to the disappearance of three-year-old Madeleine McCann (pictured) during a family vacation in Portugal in 2007
‘I love her, but this is not it,’ said a fan of Taleigha, who has acquired a dedicated following for her motherhood and lifestyle posts.
Elsewhere, Taleigha revealed that her husband and eldest boy were out quad-bike riding during her time away from the room.
In response to the onslaught of negative comments, Taleigha posted a statement to her Instagram Stories addressing the controversy.
‘I want to address what’s been circulating online,’ she began.
‘I made a poor decision, and I take full responsibility for it.
‘Although I was only metres away from the locked resort room and had constant monitoring, I recognise that this did not make the situation safe.
‘We do have a lovely nanny here in Bali who was unavailable that day. This is not a justification, just context.
‘I understand the seriousness of my actions, and I can confidently say this is the first and last time it will ever happen.’
The mother of two often shares videos as part of the ‘boy mum’ trend featuring her two young sons, including the elder child, who is four.
She welcomed her second son, who she also shares with her partner, Ash, in October.
