A North Queensland mother who police allege murdered her toddler daughter and failed to register her birth is behind bars after a dramatic scene in court.
Jessica Blinda Polsoni, 38, faced Mackay Magistrates Court on Monday charged with breaching bail conditions imposed by the Supreme Court on May 8.
Ms Polsoni was in court but would not confirm her name when called to the bench.
Magistrate Damien Dwyer repeatedly asked if she was Jessica Blinda Polsoni.
Each time she replied by spelling out the letters of her name.
“I am exercising my right to self determination,” she said.
“What’s that mean?” Mr Dwyer replied.
Prosecutor Sheena Gravino said Ms Polsoni had been ordered to present to the court house.
“If she is not present I ask for that bail to be forfeit and Your Honour also has a fresh charge of breach of bail before the court today,” Ms Gravino said.
Mr Dwyer again asked if she was Ms Polsoni.
“I have bail here issued by the Supreme Court in name of Jessica Blinda Polsoni, is that you? Is that you? Is that you, yes or no?” he asked.
Ms Polsoni again started to spell her name before she was cut off by Mr Dwyer.
“You’re excused,” he said.
“I don’t accept you are Ms Polsoni.
“I’ll issue a warrant for Ms Polsoni’s arrest.
“The undertaking entered to in the Supreme Court is forfeited and a warrant issued.
“Thank you, you can go.
“Unless you can tell me you’re Jessica Blinda Polsoni, I’ll issue that warrant and you’ll be arrested outside.
“I’ve finished with your matter, I have no interest in you, I’m interested in Ms Polsoni.”
After sitting inside the court for about two hours with supporters, Ms Polsoni was escorted in handcuffs by officers from the Child Protection Investigation Unit and uniformed police.
She was due to spend the night in the watch house before appearing in court on Tuesday.
Murder charge
Two-year-old Diana Jane Hanbury was taken to Mackay Base Hospital on December 29, 2022, but was declared dead on arrival.
Police allege that she had been ill for some time.
Her parents, Jessica Polsoni and Adam Hanbury, were arrested in Mackay on February 7, 2024.
They have each been charged with one count of murder and not applying to register a birth.
The Mackay Magistrates Court previously heard the couple had failed to register Diana’s birth on December 12, 2020.