Alanah Gail Smithwick: Mum in baby murder case ‘acutely unwell’ with psychosis, forensic psychiatrist finds

Lawyers for a Perth woman accused of murdering her eight-month-old baby will seek to have her declared unfit for trial after she was found to be suffering psychosis. Alanah Gail Smithwick has been in custody since her arrest on October 30, when homicide detectives found the deceased infant at a home on Winpara Way, Baldivis. The 28-year-old was also found injured at the scene and was taken to Rockingham General Hospital for medical treatment. It is understood the injuries were inflicted by a sharp-edged weapon. Ms Smithwick appeared in Stirling Gardens Magistrate Court via videolink from Melaleuca Prison on Wednesday, when her lawyer said forensic psychiatrist Dr Adam Brett had deemed her currently unfit to stand trial in a preliminary report. Ms Smithwick was “acutely unwell”, the lawyer said, and while she understood the nature of the charge against her, she would struggle to understand a trial and not be able to properly defend herself. A supplementary report is now being obtained ahead of her next court appearance on March 18.