Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Lydia Chantler-Hicks

Man and woman charged with murder after two-week-old baby dies in hospital

A man and a woman have been charged with murder following the death of a two-week-old baby.

Daniel Gunter, 25, and Sophie Staddon, 20, both of no fixed address, have been charged with murder and causing or allowing the death of a child.

The charges follow the death of Brendon Staddon, who died at Yeovil District Hospital around 5am on Tuesday (March 5), said Avon and Somerset Police.

Officers were called by staff at the hospital, where two-week-old Brendon was an in-patient.

An investigation was launched by the force’s major crime investigation team a short time later.

Detective Inspector Mark Newbury, of Avon and Somerset Police, said on Friday: “This is a particularly tragic case in which a very young baby has died, and our thoughts are with Brendon’s loved ones during this time.

“We have been carrying out inquiries at the hospital this week, and we’re grateful to the Somerset NHS Foundation Trust and their staff for their assistance in enabling us to do this.”

Gunter and Staddon remained in police custody on Friday, and were due to appear before Taunton Magistrates’ Court the same day

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.