Mother admits killing baby son found in bath
Charlie Goodall was airlifted to hospital but died shortly after arrival on 16 February 2022
- Published
A mother has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of her baby boy who was found unresponsive in a bath.
Danielle Massey, 31, also admitted possession of cannabis on the day her seven-month-old son Charlie Goodall died at their home in Chilton, County Durham, in February 2022.
Prosecutor Richard Wright KC told the Sheffield Crown Court hearing: "There is acceptance of a prolonged period of inattention during which this child died."
The case was adjourned until 26 July to determine whether a Newton hearing is needed over the basis of Massey's guilty plea.
The hearing heard how Charlie was found unresponsive in the bath when police were called by paramedics to a house in West Chilton Terrace, Chilton, on 16 February 2022.
He was airlifted to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, but died shortly after arrival.
Martin Sharpe, defending, told the court Massey accepted it was "her fault the seat was not properly affixed to the bath".
"She should have affixed it to a flat bath, hers is concave, the suction pad wouldn't properly work," Mr Sharpe said.
"This caused her child to tip over and then drown."
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