A nurse who caused her sick nephew’s death by denying him medical treatment in a bid to cover up years of abuse is set to learn her fate in a Queensland court.

August 21, 2019

A Brisbane nurse caused her nephew’s death by failing to seek medical treatment for his serious illness for fear of exposing the signs of abuse she had inflicted upon his body for years.

Jodie Maree Powell, 46, was Curtis Powell’s long-term carer before the 10 year old’s death from bronchopneumonia in July 2015.

He died after collapsing in front of his siblings at the family’s home following a prolonged bout of illness, the Brisbane Supreme Court heard during sentencing submissions last week.

More than 200 injuries were found on his body during the autopsy.

Many were caused by Powell’s excessive disciplining over a three-and-a-half-year period.

“It included things like banging Curtis’s head on wall, use of power cords, wooden spoons, belts and a metal fork,” crown prosecutor David Nardone said.

“He was struck on the head, stomach, legs, arms, back and neck, causing bruises, cuts and abrasions.”

Defence lawyer Tim Ryan didn’t dispute the facts.

Instead, he advocated for a reduced sentence based on Powell’s early plea of guilty, that avoided a trial, and her alcohol abuse.

He said she had been caught in a deteriorating relationship with her then-partner and the offending was an “aberration”.

Justice Martin Burns disagreed.

He said evidence that a trained nurse decided not to seek medical attention because it would put it in her position where she would need to account for Curtis’ injuries was compelling and powerful.

“She knew the child was sick …. she chose not to seek medical attention … she put herself before the child.”

Powell will be sentenced on Wednesday.