Monique Ellen Burton: Geraldton woman accused of interfering with baby’s corpse, committing fraud in court

A Geraldton woman accused of interfering with her baby’s corpse, which was allegedly found in a plastic bag in a freezer, and receiving donations after faking she had a terminal illness faced a Geraldton court again this week. Monique Ellen Burton, 33, appeared in Geraldton Magistrates Court on Monday on interfering with a corpse with intent to prevent investigation into circumstances surrounding the death and 13 fraud charges. Geraldton Detectives have previously alleged Ms Burton placed the baby’s body in a plastic bag after it died during birth at home. It was alleged her partner Shaun Bradley Balaam, 33, found the bag in the bedroom and placed it into a freezer in the Spalding backyard. Defence lawyer Anthony Elliott appeared by audio link and requested Ms Burton’s fraud matters be dealt with separately, but wouldn’t disclose why. Police prosecutor Sgt Ross Gray said one of the 13 fraud charges was to be discontinued. Ms Burton now faces 12 counts of gains benefit by fraud after she reportedly pretended she only had five years to live and received donations from a GoFundMe page a friend had set up. In May, Mr Balaam entered pleas of not guilty to interfering with a corpse, while Ms Burton is yet to make any pleas. The case was adjourned until Thursday, October 12 for further legal advice relating to fraud charges, while the interfering with a corpse charge was adjourned for a committal mention on the same day. Ms Burton’s bail was extended.