A 19-year-old mum who killed her newborn son with an overdose of paracetamol has been jailed for five years. Ellie Jacobs admitted child cruelty and the manslaughter of Archie Jacobs, who was just five weeks old when he died.
Luton Crown Court heard that a 999 call was made on June 5 2020, during the first coronavirus lockdown, after Archie went into cardiac arrest at a property in Biddlesden, Buckinghamshire. He was pronounced dead at the scene despite the efforts of paramedics.
A post-mortem examination found the youngster’s cause of death was acute paracetamol toxicity. Jacobs admitted administering the dose as well as breaking the toddler’s leg and foot in the days before he died.
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The teenager, from Rushden, Northamptonshire, was arrested and charged with murder last October but a guilty plea to manslaughter was later deemed acceptable.
Detective Chief Inspector Will Crowther, of Thames Valley Police’s Major Crime Unit, said: “This is an absolutely tragic case. Baby Archie died when he was only five weeks old. Ellie Jacobs has admitted causing Archie’s broken leg and foot in the days prior to his death, as well as admitting that she administered the large paracetamol overdose that caused his death."
He added: “This has been a long investigation that has always sought to find the truth as to what happened to baby Archie, and I am glad that during the trial Ellie Jacobs finally accepted responsibility for her dreadful actions. I am hoping that the fact that Ellie Jacobs has now pleaded guilty and been sentenced, it will help the rest of Archie’s family to begin to move forward following this unbearable period for them.
“I am grateful to the witnesses in this case for their evidence, and my thanks to the investigation team who have worked tirelessly to get to the truth. If you ever have any concerns about the safety and wellbeing of a child, please make sure you alert the authorities, so that everything can be done to protect them from coming to any harm.”
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