Baby's cause of death confirmed after parents accused of killing him in hospital

11 March 2024 , 13:34

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The baby died at Yeovil Hospital (Image: Alastair JohnstoneSWNS.com)

A premature baby, who was just two weeks old, died from a “significant fracture to the skull” while an inpatient in a hospital's neo-natal unit.

Little Brendon Staddon's mum Sophie Staddon and his dad Daniel Gunter have been remanded in custody accused of his murder. The young parents aged 20 and 25 respectively are also accused of killing baby Brendon Staddon at Yeovil District Hospital in Somerset on March 5 this year.

Both defendants, of no fixed address, have also been charged with causing or allowing Brendon’s death. That charge alleges that “being a member of the same household as and having had frequent contact” with Brendon, they either caused his death or did not protect him from a foreseeable “significant risk of serious physical harm”.

Robert Yates, prosecuting, told the court the initial indications were that Brendon had died from a “significant fracture to the skull” while an inpatient in the neo-natal unit. He had been born premature two weeks previously and was “progressing well”, Mr Yates said.

A post-mortem examination was due to be carried out later. Rupert Morgan-Jones, representing Staddon, and Lucy Taylor, representing Gunter, did not apply for bail. Judge William Hart fixed a pre-trial and preparation hearing for next month and remanded the defendants into custody.

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The pair were excused attendance from a short hearing at Bristol Crown Court. Avon and Somerset Police previously said officers were called to the hospital by staff and an investigation was launched by the force’s major crime investigation team

Kelly-Ann Mills