Key Takeaways
- Author Lauren Tesolin-Mastrosa was arrested for child abuse material offenses related to her controversial fiction novel.
- The book sparked outrage for allegedly glorifying p*dophilia, leading to its removal from platforms and her dismissal from BaptistCare.
- Despite claiming a “misunderstanding,” she faces serious charges with a court date set for March 31, 2025.
Australian author Tori Woods, whose real name is Lauren Tesolin-Mastrosa, has been arrested and charged with child abuse material offenses following public outrage over her latest erotic fiction novel, “Daddy’s Little Toy.”
How The Controversy Unfolded?
The book, which was set to be released online, sparked widespread backlash after social media users accused it of glorifying p*odphilia.
Critics pointed to passages in which the male protagonist describes having sexual thoughts about his best friend’s daughter from the age of three.
Adding to the controversy, the book’s cover design featured children’s building blocks, further fueling accusations that the novel contained child exploitation themes.
im fine with a LOT in books. but what. in the name of GOD ? pic.twitter.com/ZolpojqYAt
— mel (@meldevarona) March 18, 2025
The outrage reached law enforcement, and in March 2025, officers from Riverstone Police Area Command launched an investigation.
According to NSW Police, following multiple reports, detectives arrested Tesolin-Mastrosa at her home in Quakers Hill on March 21, 2025.
“At about 12:30 PM, detectives attended a home in Quakers Hill and arrested a 33-year-old woman before taking her to Riverstone Police Station.”
Via X
Authorities also executed a search warrant, seizing multiple hard copies of the book for forensic examination.
The Charges And Legal Consequences
Tesolin-Mastrosa has been formally charged with possessing child abuse material, disseminating child abuse material, and producing child abuse material.
She was granted conditional bail and is set to appear before Blacktown Local Court on March 31, 2025.
Men are worried about fantasy books, but there’s a pedophilic mother of a 3 year old just wrote sexually explicit content about a 3 years old, and nobody cares to blow that up. Her name is Lauren Ashley / Tori Woods. pic.twitter.com/QzJPbWv4gy
— Jade Martin💜🦎 (@jaderants) March 23, 2025
The public response has been overwhelmingly critical, with many expressing relief over her arrest.
“Happy days!!!!!! Justice has been served!!!!!! 😃” one user commented.
Via Threads
“You can delete it, but the internet lives forever,” another added.
Via Threads
“Now start the wood chipper 😀,” a third user wrote, suggesting severe punishment.
Via Threads
Even those connected to the book distanced themselves.
Georgia Stove, the novel’s cover designer, released a statement after receiving death threats, saying she had no knowledge of the book’s content.
“I have cut ties with Tori Woods, effective immediately.”
Via X
Tori Woods’ Response: “A Huge Misunderstanding”
Before deleting her social media accounts, Tesolin-Mastrosa posted a statement claiming the situation was a misunderstanding.
“DLT is definitely not promoting or inciting anything ever to do with (child sexual abuse) or pedophilia.”
Via Instagram
“What is being said is grossly disturbing and breaks my heart as well as makes me sick.”
Via Instagram
Despite her defense, the book has been removed from Amazon and Goodreads, and her professional and author social media accounts have been deleted.
Tesolin-Mastrosa was employed as a marketing executive at Christian charity BaptistCare, which added to the shock and outrage surrounding the case.
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A spokesperson for BaptistCare confirmed that complaints were received about an employee, leading to Tesolin-Mastrosa’s resignation on March 20, 2025.
With Tesolin-Mastrosa facing serious criminal charges, her court appearance on March 31 will determine the next steps.
She could face significant legal consequences, including potential jail time if convicted.
