Emergency services were called to the residence of five-month-old Kevin Deguitas in Newcastle-under-Lyme during the early hours of August 9 last year. Kevin lived with his mother, Viktorija Mardosiene, 32.
Reports had indicated the baby was not breathing and had become cold, possibly due to a co-sleeping incident. Despite the efforts of ambulance crews, Kevin was pronounced dead after being rushed to the Royal Stoke University Hospital.
Viktorija, originally from Latvia, subsequently sought treatment at the Harplands mental health unit. She expressed her profound grief over the loss of her child to the staff there. Tragically, while at the unit, she suffered a cardiac arrest and passed away at the Royal Stoke.
North Staffordshire coroner Duncan Richie has opened and adjourned the inquests, stating further investigation is necessary.
During the hearing regarding Kevin’s death, PC Tyler Lowe provided a statement, saying: “The living room was extremely cluttered with boxes and toys all over the floor. We heard from the paramedics that he was not getting any air and a tube was inserted into his mouth and throat.
“We approached Viktorija to make inquiries, she said ‘no English’. We kept some distance. She was on the phone to the baby’s father asking ‘is my baby dead?’. She began to cry.
“We heard how she had taken the baby to bed, sleeping, at 11pm. At 1.34am we heard doctors had ceased CPR and stopped life care. Viktorija was then conveyed to hospital.”
DC Craig Flowers, from Staffordshire Police’s child protection unit, described the conditions inside the house in Dunkirk, Newcastle.
He said: “It would be fair to say the house was found in some state of disarray. I went to the address the day after and can confirm she was sleeping in a double bed. There were empty cans of alcohol in the bedroom.
“Viktorija was breathalysed at the scene and her level was found to be 40mg/ml. The drink driving limit is 35.
“It is fair to state she was in an understandably upset state. She was screaming, shouting and rocking back and forth screaming ‘kill me’.
“There had been concerns about domestic issues in the past. There was a history of contact between emergency services and the couple.”
Consultant paediatric pathologist Dr Roger Malcomson provided evidence, stating a thorough post-mortem examination had been conducted on Kevin.
He said: “There were no significant internal or external injuries. His body weight was average and his head circumference was small, relatively, and his body length was long for his age. There was no abnormal pattern of growth and he was adequately nourished.
“His internal organs were normally arranged and there was no metabolic abnormality. There was no significant finding, there was a mild degree of congestion and some small haemorrhages but we see those very frequently and they are very difficult to ascribe cause.
“What we are left with is a baby who has died co-sleeping with a parent. There is no specific medical cause of death after a comprehensive autopsy.
“There are problems associated with co-sleeping including overlaying. There is also a risk of hypothermia and restricting of airways. There is nothing sufficient to suggest a specific cause of death.
“I would consider an unascertained cause of death. With the debate of if this was a natural or unnatural death, I don’t think there is sufficient evidence to suggest either way.”
An inquest into Viktorija’s death revealed she had voluntarily sought treatment at Harplands after complaining of chest pains. Later that afternoon, she suddenly collapsed and was pronounced dead at 3.53pm, just 14 hours after her baby’s death.
Dr Oluwafemi Popoola, a specialist in psychiatry, said: “She was met by the deputy ward manager and had periods where she was distressed and crying uncontrollably. However, she did engage well with the service. She had an elevated blood pressure.
“She collapsed in the hospital and CPR was done. Paramedics arrived at 3.05pm and took her to Royal Stoke with a suspected cardiac arrest.
“She had not reported any self-harm or suicide prior to the death of her son. However she was saying ‘kill me’. She had no previous contact with mental health services. She was given diazepam before her death. The dosage was the appropriate and safe amount given.”
A toxicologist’s report indicated the presence of a small amount of diazepam in her system, but no traces of drugs or alcohol. The quantity was insufficient to suggest drug toxicity.
Dr Andrew Hitchcock, the coroner’s pathologist who conducted the post-mortem, said: “There were no external injuries. However, there was a granular material found in the abdomen. It looks like the medication that people take, the sort you see in open capsules.
“It looked like a pharmaceutical substance although I cannot say for certain. It was certainly taken by mouth.
“On the balance of probability, I cannot identify exactly what the medical cause of death. The granular materials themselves were non-toxic as there was no mention in the report. They would have been taken within 14 hours of death but I cannot say exactly when.”
The inquest has been adjourned to a later date while more evidence is requested.
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