Gippsland Mother Charged After Sewing Recording Device Into Non-Verbal Son's Clothing

A mother in Victoria's Gippsland region has been charged by police after allegedly sewing a covert recording device into her seven-year-old son's school clothes. Skye Cooper stated she took the action out of concern for her child's safety after he began exhibiting severe distress and refusing to attend classes at Churchill Primary School.

According to ABC Gippsland, the boy—who has autism, severe epilepsy, global development delay, and a severe language delay—began attending the school in February 2025. Approximately a month into the school term, Ms Cooper reported that her son became emotionally traumatised, screamed during the morning school run, and begged not to be left at the school. She also stated she noticed bruising on his arm.

After raising concerns with the school without feeling they were adequately addressed, Ms Cooper sought guidance from disability advocate Julie Phillips. Following that advice, Ms Cooper placed a recording device inside her son's clothing to monitor his school environment.

Ms Cooper stated that she listened to the audio recordings nightly until she captured a classroom aide telling her son, "You hurt me, I'll hurt you." Following this discovery, she withdrew her son from the school and reported the matter to authorities.

Police subsequently charged Ms Cooper with the Regulation of Installation, Use and Maintenance of a Listening Device. Expressing shock at the legal outcome, Ms Cooper noted that she was attempting to protect her child and felt the "tables have been turned" on her situation. Police have informed her that she could avoid a criminal record if she admits to the charges and makes a $300 donation to a charity, though she is currently seeking legal advice regarding her next steps.

The educational aide involved previously issued a formal written apology earlier this year. In the letter, the aide stated she did not specifically recall the exact exchange but felt "extremely remorseful that such a statement was made," acknowledging that she used inappropriate words while under stress.

In response to the charges, Ms Cooper has launched a petition calling for the removal of the aide and urging the Education Minister to advocate for changes to the Surveillance Devices Act. She seeks legal protections for parents who utilize covert recording devices when suspecting abuse against children who cannot communicate verbally.

Disability advocate Julie Phillips defended the decision to use a listening device, arguing that covert recording is often the only available recourse for parents of non-verbal children facing unexplained behavioral deterioration and physical signs of trauma. Ms Phillips asserted that parents of children with disabilities face limited options to investigate school environments safely.

In addition to the police investigation and the ongoing legal discussions regarding the charges, Ms Cooper indicated that the Disability Workers Commission is also reviewing the matter.