Two drug-using parents had no intention that their baby son "might lose his life" after he tragically died when he became wedged in between the back of a sofa at his mother's Hucknall home, an inquest heard. On considering the possible verdicts as the inquest into the death of baby Hunter White nears conclusion, Gordon Clow, assistant coroner for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, added that both parents were "clearly deeply affected" by his death.
The coroner does not see a verdict of unlawful killing open to him as that was not the outcome of legal proceedings regarding 18-day-old Hunter's mum and dad, Terri Walters and her estranged partner, Adam White, who pleaded guilty at Nottingham Crown Court to cruelty by way of neglect on one occasion and were sentenced in the community.
Adam White, 45, of Foxhill Road East, Carlton, pleaded guilty on the basis of being under the influence of cannabis at the time he was caring for Hunter, who lived with his mother at Kingsway Gardens, Hucknall. Dad Adam fell asleep on the sofa with Hunter and woke to find him wedged facedown between him and the back of the chair in the summer of 2020.
READ MORE: The tragic final days of baby Hunter White are heard at his inquest
His mother, now 32, admitted the offence on the basis she left Hunter in the care of his father and that she was incapable at that time because she was under the influence of cannabis and cocaine, and knowing White was incapable due to his cannabis use.
Adam White's cannabis use was not known to authorities and was very well hidden by the family, the inquest heard. A short narrative conclusion is being considered. The conclusion is expected to be given on Thursday (June 9).
