Prudhoe baby's death still a mystery

Aug 12 2009 by Laura Caroe, The Journal

INVESTIGATIONS into the death of a baby found with 23 injuries could not ascertain how he died, an inquest yesterday heard.

Parents Neil and Leigh Smart were left in shock after discovering their seven-month-old son Matthew Eoin lifeless in his cot.

His father frantically tried to revive him and the little boy was taken to Newcastle General Hospital by ambulance, but was pronounced dead shortly after at around 9.45am on July 30 last year.

Medics noticed several injuries including purple and brown bruising on his forehead, hands and arms, and a tear on a flap of skin that connects his upper lip and gum, an inquest at Newcastle Civic Centre heard. Home office pathologist Dr Jennifer Hamilton said 23 bruises and abrasions had been found on Matthew’s body including “bruising to his hands and the tear to his lip which seemed to be more recent”. It is thought some of the injuries had been sustained between two to eight hours before his death. The ones to his arms and the back of his hands were older. But bruises found on the palm of his hands concerned the pathologist who said: “It is a very difficult area to bruise. You would need a significant degree of trauma to cause injury.”

When questioned about the possibility of the injuries being self-inflicted she said it was impossible and unlikely to have been caused by another child.

She added: “It was a very detailed post-mortem but there was no cause for death that we could determine. There were a number of injuries which didn’t contribute to his death but in the absence of an explanation are concerning.”

Mr and Mrs Smart, of School Row, in Castlefields Estate, Prudhoe, Northumberland, with their daughter Abigail – who was three at the time of their son’s death – were both questioned by police. Acting Det Chief Insp Chris Walker told the inquest yesterday the only explanations Matthew’s parents had been able to give for his injuries were that Abigail liked to play with him or when he was playing with other children at nursery.

He said: “Both of his parents in relation to his hands said Abigail would hold his hands and roll him backwards and forwards, it was a game they used to play.

“No other explanations were given but friends of the family were interviewed had noted seeing bruising on previous occasions. The police and the CPS are not taking action against anyone for a criminal offence.”

A spokesperson for Northumberland County Council said: “We were saddened to learn of the death of this baby. The county council is not able to comment on specific cases.” Newcastle coroner David Mitford recorded an open verdict. He said: “There is insufficient evidence to be sure what the cause of Matthew’s death was and I don’t know the precise circumstances in which it arose.”