A mother who shook her 10-week-old infant daughter to death after social workers from a scandal-hit council allowed her to take her home has been spared jail today.
Lauren Saint George inflicted traumatic head injuries and 18 rib fractures on baby Lily Mai six days after she was discharged from hospital.
The 25-year-old mother snapped and attacked the tiny girl in a fit of rage when she was told she would have to go into a residential unit with the baby if she wanted to keep her.
Medical staff believed Saint George hardly cared about the baby's welfare after she was born prematurely and was incapable of looking after her properly.
They were horrified when the little girl was sent home with Saint George and her partner Darren Hurrell, also 25.
Lily-Mai was born in November 2017 and spent the first two months of her life in Barnet Hospital, before she was discharged into her parents' care on 25 January 2018.
Staff were concerned over a lack of bonding between mother and baby while Lily-Mai was still in hospital.
Four days after her birth, Saint George refused to visit her daughter on the ward, saying she was having her dinner.
Midwives were shocked to see her standing with her back to the baby when she finally agreed to see her.
Both parents would make sure they had eaten themselves before they fed Lily-Mai.
Prosecutor Sally O'Neill, QC, had told the court: "Almost all of the professionals at the hospital were opposed to the baby being discharged into the parents' care at home and had expressed their concerns about the parents' ability to meet the baby's emotional, developmental and physical needs on many occasions to the social services."
Saint George was cleared by an Old Bailey jury of murder, manslaughter and cruelty to a person under 16 following a trial in July.
Hurrell denied and was cleared by the jury of cruelty by neglect.
Mr Justice Martin Spencer had earlier ruled there was "no case to answer" against Hurrell for murder and manslaughter and not guilty verdicts were entered.
Sentencing Saint George the judge took into account she "suffered from a double affliction of exhaustion and depression.
"On this occasion, the target of your temper was a defenceless baby.
"I have no doubt this was a reaction you immediately regretted."
He said Saint George immediately sought medical support for Lily Mai.
"I have no doubt that the grief you exhibited over those two days was wholly genuine."
After hearing Saint George wishes to pursue further education Mr Justice Spencer added: "You now have a future to look forward to."
Saint George, of Bonnington House, Enfield, was convicted of infanticide and was sentenced to two years imprisonment, suspended for two years, along with a 12-month supervision order and 60 days rehabilitation requirement.
