Monique Ellen Burton and Shaun Bradley Balaam: Geraldton couple’s next move in baby corpse case

A Geraldton man accused of interfering with a baby’s corpse by putting it in a freezer has pleaded not guilty to the charge while a co-accused woman is yet to enter a plea. Monique Ellen Burton, 32, and Shaun Bradley Balaam, 33, appeared in Geraldton Magistrates Court on Thursday, Mr Balaam entered a plea of not guilty to the charge of interfering with a corpse with intent to prevent investigation into circumstances surrounding the death, while Ms Burton has not entered a plea to any of her charges yet. Geraldton detectives previously claimed that after Ms Burton gave birth, she allegedly placed the dead child in a plastic bag, that Mr Balaam then is alleged to have placed in a freezer in their backyard. It is alleged Ms Burton went to Geraldton Health Campus after giving birth at home in secret around August 20 last year, but despite showing signs of recent childbirth she repeatedly denied to hospital staff that she had given birth or been pregnant. The matter was reported to police and they investigated the couple’s Spalding home, which is where they allegedly found the dead baby’s corpse in the freezer. Detectives previously stated there was no evidence the baby was killed and believed the child was born dead. Ms Burton is also facing 13 charges of gaining benefits by fraud, for which she did not enter any pleas in court on Thursday. It is alleged she received donations after lying to people about a terminal illness she did not have. It was previously reported that Ms Burton lost another child in tragic circumstances — a 15-month-old son who succumbed to illness in September 2019. Ms Burton and Mr Balaam had their bail extended and their cases adjourned until July 10 for legal advice. No trial has been set for Mr Balaam.