Lucy Ray McKenzie, a 35-year-old woman who is seven months pregnant and works at a school in Western New South Wales, has been denied bail after being charged with possessing child abuse material.

McKenzie was arrested following a search warrant executed by detectives from NSW Police's sex crimes squad child exploitation internet unit at her Gilgandra home. The warrant came after a report on Saturday detected child abuse material linked to an account holder at her address.

She faces four counts of using a carriage service to make available child abuse material, as well as charges of hindering or resisting police in the execution of duty. The investigation linked the IP address associated with the uploads to McKenzie and her residential address, with material uploaded over a "relatively lengthy period of time" between April 2025 and June 2026.

Judge Fiona McCarron, presiding over the case, refused McKenzie's bail application citing concerns about community safety despite acknowledging her pregnancy. The matter is scheduled to return to court in Western NSW on September 7.

Strike Force Trawler detectives, a special unit investigating the sexual abuse and exploitation of children via the internet and telecommunications devices, stated that inquiries into the case are ongoing.

Sources