A teenager has died after suffering a severe head injury when he was just one month old, an inquest heard. Joshua-Lee Morgan died aged 16 years old at the Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People in Loughborough, where he received end of life care.
An inquest held at the Nottingham Council House on Wednesday, September 28, found that his death on August 24 was a direct consequence of a severe head injury he suffered in his early life. Joshua was born on December 4, 2005, and was cared for by the local authorities since he was a baby, the inquest heard.
Opening the inquest touching on Joshua's death, Assistant Coroner Gordon Clow told the hearing: "This is an unusual inquest. Joshua was sadly a victim of a non-accidental head injury when he was approximately one month of age."
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The inquest was told that Joshua suffered the head injury on or around January 12, 2006. "The head injury left him vulnerable. In these circumstances, I will have to consider the events that happened prior to his death.
"The circumstances have been investigated by the Family Court, which have kindly given me permission to look at the evidence," Mr Clow added. According to GP referrals in Joshua's medical history while he was alive, the teenager was described as someone who "lacks capacity and will always lack capacity".
There was a string of conditions that Joshua received care for during his lifetime. He had epilepsy, scoliosis, blindness, Bilateral Cerebral Palsy, and respiratory problems. "Despite all appropriate care it was not possible to effectively treat Joshua's declining respiratory health," the inquest heard.
The constant treatment he received during his lifetime helped Joshua to undertake activities and engage into schooling. It was argued that a court authorisation for withdrawal of intrusive treatments would be in Joshua's "best interest". This was provided by means of an order on June 9.
Mr Clow added: "As feared, Joshua's health continued to decline and he died on 24 August 2022. Joshua-Lee Morgan suffered a severe head injury when approximately one month of age.
"The injury was not accidental in nature. Whilst his death was some 16 years later, his death was the direct consequence of the injuries sustained on or around January 2006." Concluding the inquest, he added: "I would like to extend my condolences and best wishes to those involved in his care."
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