Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Dad suspected of smothering 3 different babies (North Somerset, United Kingdom)

This is a kind of confusing article. Here's the short version: UNNAMED DAD is suspected in the smothering of three infants by two different mothers. Previously, the mother of the first two infants had been blamed for injuring baby #2. But when baby #3 with a new mother (same dad) showed similar injuries, the authorities started to connect the dots.

http://www.thewestonmercury.co.uk/content/twm/news/story.aspx?brand=Westonmercury&category=news&tBrand=westonmercury&tCategory=znews&itemid=WeED30%20Jun%202009%2015%3A20%3A28%3A353

Baby death inquiry re-opened
30 June 2009

AN INVESTIGATION into the death of a baby in North Somerset is being re-opened after 10 years.

London's Civil Appeal Court was told the child, known only as Baby A for legal reasons, died in 1999 after what was then judged birth-related pneumonia.

But after her half-brother was taken to hospital with similar symptoms, it was decided inquiries should be reassessed. Baby B, the sister of Baby A, was born in 2000 and suffered a broken leg when she was just a few weeks old. The 'non accidental injury' was blamed on her mother.

But in 2008, after the two girls' father had another child, known as Baby C, with another woman, the youngster was taken into hospital on two occasions.

When Baby C was just a week old he had blood in his sick - the same symptoms recorded in Baby A before her death. On a second hospital visit, Baby C was found to have multiple rib fractures.

It was also revealed Baby B had had blood in her vomit during the first few weeks of her life.

When the revelations came to light, Baby C and his sister, Baby D, were taken into care by North Somerset Council. Health professionals are now worried Babies A, B and C may have been the victims of smothering by their father - as he is the only link between the three youngsters.

The council's lawyers said the three babies all had very similar respiratory problems.

Baby B's mother is hoping to clear her name at an appeal, as she was blamed for the injuries caused to her child.

It is expected the case will be re-opened at an appeal court later this year. The outcome of Baby B and her mother's appeal could influence the futures of Babies C and D.