Australian influencer under fire for leaving infant unattended on holiday
An Australian influencer has apologised to her followers after leaving her six-month-old baby alone in a locked hotel room while on holiday in Bali.
Perth-based social media personality Taleigha Skye said she stepped out to get a foot massage, leaving the infant in the room while monitoring him via a video device.
The incident sparked significant backlash online after a clip was shared to a popular Facebook page, with many users questioning her judgement and raising concerns about child safety.
Taleigha Skye. Pic: Taleigha Skye/Instagram
Some commenters drew comparisons to the 2007 disappearance of British toddler Madeleine McCann, who went missing from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, while her parents were dining nearby.
In the since-deleted video, Taleigha appeared to show how she was keeping watch on her son remotely as she walked to her appointment.
However, critics argued that this did not justify leaving a young child unattended.
Some commenters drew comparisons to the 2007 disappearance of British toddler Madeleine McCann.
Users responding online described the situation as ‘irresponsible’, with several saying they could not understand how a parent could leave a baby alone, particularly in a foreign country.
Others noted that, despite the presence of monitoring technology, the risks remained too high.
It later emerged that Taleigha’s husband and her older child were out quad biking at the time.
Taleigha Skye. Pic: Taleigha Skye/Instagram
Responding to the controversy, Taleigha issued a statement on Instagram, acknowledging her mistake.
‘I made a poor decision, and I take full responsibility for it,’ she said.
‘Although I was only metres away from the locked resort room and had constant monitoring, I recognise that this did not make the situation safe.
‘We do have a nanny here in Bali who was unavailable that day. This is not a justification, just context.
‘I understand the seriousness of my actions, and I can confidently say this is the first and last time it will ever happen.’
Taleigha, who shares parenting and lifestyle content online, is a mother of two young boys. Her youngest child was born in October.
