Monique Ellen Burton, 33, accused of interfering with baby’s corpse, set to receive psychiatric assessment

A woman accused of interfering with her baby’s corpse, which was allegedly found in a freezer after it was stillborn, and receiving donations after faking a terminal illness is set to undergo a psychiatric assessment, a court was told. Monique Ellen Burton, 33, appeared in the Geraldton Magistrates Court on Thursday where her case was adjourned until Thursday, April 4. She is charged with interfering with a corpse with intent to prevent or prejudice an investigation into circumstances surrounding the death and 12 counts of gaining benefit by fraud. Ms Burton is yet to enter pleas. Geraldton detectives previously allege the Spalding woman gave birth to a stillborn baby in August 2022, wrapped it in a plastic bag and left it in a bedroom. It’s alleged her partner Shaun Bradley Balaam, who has pleaded not guilty to interfering with a corpse, found the bag and placed it in a backyard freezer. Detectives said Ms Burton was flown by the Royal Flying Doctor Service to King Edward Memorial Hospital in Perth for urgent treatment after allegedly concealing the birth. Duty defence lawyer Eva Svanberg said Ms Burton had been granted Legal Aid and her lawyer was organising a private psychiatric assessment. Magistrate Matthew Walton said a “substantial” adjournment was necessary. She will reappear in the Geraldton Magistrates Court on April 4 to enter pleas to the fraud charges. Her bail was extended.