William Tyrrell’s foster mum is facing a fresh charge.
This latest charge comes as entirely separate to the “assault of a child” charge she and her estranged partner pleaded not guilty to late in 2021.
The new charge was revealed as the boy’s foster mother, aged 56, and foster father, aged 54, faced Hornsby Local Court on Tuesday for their original assault charge, to which they have pleaded not guilty.
This original charge does not pertain to William Tyrrell.
In December, representatives for the pair indicated to the court they would submit an application under Section 14 of the Mental Health Act, which allows a person charged with a criminal offence who has a mental health or cognitive impairment to avoid a finding of guilt or criminal conviction.
Criminal defence lawyer Sharon Ramsden, who appeared for the woman on Tuesday, told the court a mental health assessment had been conducted with her client and a report would be ready in the coming weeks.
Having received an additional charge on Friday, she said further consultation would be required with the psychologist before it could be properly addressed.
She did, however, enter a not guilty plea on behalf of her client in connection to the new charge.
Neither the young victim who police allege was assaulted nor the couple can be identified for legal reasons.
Image: Getty Images
This article first appeared on OverSixty.