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Mother charged with grievous bodily harm after baby girl critically injured in Townsville

Police made the arrest in Townsville this afternoon. (ABC News: Stuart Bryce)

Detectives have charged a Townsville mother with grievous bodily harm after her baby daughter suffered severe injuries in "a number" of alleged assaults.

Police said the five-month-old girl was found unresponsive at a home at Kelso on March 29 and was taken to Townsville University Hospital in a critical condition.

"Our allegations will be that this young child was home alone with their mother … when as a result of a direct infliction of a number of assaults on the child she sustained serious injuries which required immediate hospitalisation," Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Miles said.

"We have a very severe head injury and a number of other injuries about the body and torso."

Detectives from the Townsville Child Protection Investigation Unit launched an investigation that culminated in the arrest of the child's 22-year-old mother on Friday afternoon.

Detective Senior Sergeant Miles said the woman's version of events was inconsistent with the baby's injuries. 

"The young child was in hospital for some period of time but is now out with carers, out in the community," Detective Senior Sergeant Miles said.

Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Miles said officers were troubled by the alleged offence. (ABC North Queensland: Lily Nothling)

Police said the woman – who made the triple-0 call – has another young child who was not at home at the time of the alleged assault.

Detective Senior Sergeant Miles said no weapons were used but alleged that "there was an application of force that was directed at the child".

"Any injury to a child is traumatic," he said.

The woman was granted police bail and will face the Townsville Magistrates Court on August 5. 

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