Coroner rules baby's death accidental in unsafe sleep setting

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 24 Oct, 06:09 · Archive

A two-month-old baby girl died from coronavirus and throat infection complications in an unsafe sleeping environment, a coroner has found.

Victorian Coroner Therese McCarthy has ruled the death of a two-month-old girl, given the pseudonym Baby M, as accidental. The baby died in Melbourne's southeast suburbs in July 2023. The coroner found she died from complications of coronavirus and adenovirus respiratory tract infection in the setting of an unsafe sleeping environment. She had been placed to sleep in her cot with her head to one side on a pillow, with a blanket that at some point covered her head.

Methamphetamine was found in the baby's hair but not in her blood. A forensic pathologist determined it did not cause or contribute to her death. The coroner could not rule out that suffocation contributed to the death.

The coroner acknowledged the baby's mother, identified only as Ms L, "loved her daughter, engaged with her and was focused on her care". McCarthy said: "No adverse comments can be made about the conduct of any person involved." She noted the mother had taken "reasonable, appropriate and extensive steps" to have the viral infections checked out and had been given and implemented much standard safe sleeping advice.

How it is being reported

• Coroner rules baby’s death accidental in unsafe sleep findingThe death of a two-month-old baby girl has been ruled an accident, despite traces of meth being found in her hair.Perth Now · 24 Oct, 05:29
• Coroner rules baby’s death accidental in unsafe sleep findingThe death of a two-month-old baby girl has been ruled an accident, despite traces of meth being found in her hair.The West Australian · 24 Oct, 05:29

In this story: Therese McCarthy · Melbourne · Victoria

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