Inquest Details Neglect and Drug Exposure in Baby's Tragic Death
An ongoing inquest has revealed harrowing details about the neglect and drug exposure suffered by ten-week-old Phoebe-Rose Douglas before her tragic death. The hearing at Swann House in Stoke heard that the infant was found in an "unkempt and smelly" state with dirt under her fingernails and in body creases when admitted to Royal Stoke University Hospital.
Emergency Response and Hospital Admission
Paramedics were dispatched to an address on Meaford Drive in Blurton on the morning of October 25, 2019, following reports that the ten-week-old had gone into cardiac arrest. Phoebe-Rose was rushed to the hospital's paediatric intensive care unit where nursing staff immediately raised concerns about her neglected appearance and poor hygiene.
Despite resuscitation efforts, hospital scans revealed she had sustained severe brain damage caused by oxygen deprivation. The decision was made to withdraw life support four days later on October 29, 2019, when she tragically passed away.
Drug Exposure and Parental Convictions
A urine sample taken on October 29 revealed traces of cocaine, while subsequent hair sample analysis indicated exposure to cocaine, heroin, and cannabis. Both parents, Rachel Bourne and John Douglas, pleaded guilty to child cruelty at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court in 2024.
Bourne received a jail term of 31 months, while Douglas was handed a 10-month custodial sentence suspended for two years. The inquest heard that both parents were drug users at the time of their daughter's death.
Background and Missed Opportunities
Phoebe-Rose was born in Halifax in August 2019 where her father was residing, before being brought to Stoke-on-Trent a month later with her mother. Multiple referrals had been made to social services prior to her birth, including one in July 2019 regarding concerning living conditions.
The family was eventually evicted from their property where drug paraphernalia was subsequently discovered. Phoebe-Rose also failed to attend her first routine immunisations or developmental check with a GP, which typically occurs at six to eight weeks of age.
Medical Evidence Presented
Paediatrician Dr. Deborah Stalker informed the inquest that hospital discharge notes from Phoebe-Rose's birth showed no indications of neonatal abstinence syndrome, which are withdrawal symptoms babies may experience if exposed to opiates in the womb.
"But she was a bit of a struggle to feed, reading between the lines of notes," Dr. Stalker added. "There was also evidence that feeding bottles were not sterilised prior to use - that had been observed in hospital."
When describing Phoebe-Rose's condition upon admission in October 2019, Dr. Stalker stated: "She was unkempt and she was unclean. She was smelly and she had dirty fingernails and feet and creases under arms and neck."
Post-Mortem Findings
Consultant paediatric and perinatal pathologist Dr. Roger Malcolmson, who conducted post-mortem examinations, described Phoebe-Rose as "relatively small" to the inquest.
"There was no evidence of external injuries of any significance that would suggest a pattern of physical abuse," he said. "Her brain was swollen, which correlates with injury to brain cells and hypoxia (reduced oxygen to the brain). There was no obvious underlying cause. I think the biggest risk factor for this death we can identify from the history is maternal drug use and smoking."
The inquest continues as authorities examine the full circumstances surrounding this tragic case of infant death linked to neglect and parental drug use.
