Australian parents who smoked meth while toddler was abused dodge jail time

A Perth couple has avoided prison time after they allowed their toddler to be beaten up by her siblings while they got high on meth.

Travis Heise and Natasha Bland turned a blind eye to the abuse against their 2-year-old for eight months, a court heard.

The couple had six young children between them from previous relationships and would often leave them unsupervised while they smoked a gram of meth each day of meth in a locked bedroom.

The youngest child was regularly attacked by the older children and the couple did not seek medical treatment for her for eight months until she developed cauliflower ear, The Sydney Morning Herald reported. 

In 2019 a doctor noticed the young girl had sustained extensive injuries including bruises to her face, ears, neck, chest, back, arms and abdomen, as well as cuts and bite marks. Her toes and fingertips were also showing signs of infection, the SMH said.

The doctor raised suspicions with the police and both parents were subsequently charged with engaging in reckless conduct that resulted in the suffering of a child.

They were sentenced at the Perth District Court on Thursday to a 15-month suspended jail term, which means they remain living in the community on the condition they do not re-offend.

According to 9 News, the couple no longer uses drugs.