A mother has described the haunting memory of the night her four-week-old baby's head 'flopped back' after his father allegedly shook him. Atticus Bartlett tragically died in hospital after collapsing at the family home in Chard, Somerset, on 16 July 2022.
Mother's Testimony in Court
Evelyn Ballentyne, the mother of Atticus, testified at Bristol Crown Court in the trial of Tony Bartlett, the baby's father. Bartlett, 39, denies charges of murder and manslaughter related to Atticus's death from brain injuries. The prosecution claims that Bartlett, a postman, violently shook Atticus while they were alone together.
Ms Ballentyne recounted to the jury how she came downstairs and heard Atticus make 'two gasping noises'. She said: 'If you have ever watched someone pass away, towards the end of their life, they make funny noises and that's what he did. I then stared at Atticus for a couple of seconds and you could just tell that he had gone grey. He was dead. I don't know if I said he's dead or he's not breathing. I screamed.'
Details of the Incident
Ms Ballentyne stated that Atticus had been lying face down on his father's knees and Bartlett 'flipped' him over. 'Atticus's head just flopped back, he wasn't alive,' she told the court. She sobbed as she recalled how Atticus's body was limp when turned onto his back. 'I just screamed and ran out of the house. I thought I rang 999 but I didn't.'
Prosecutor Charles Row KC asked how often she had reflected on that night. She broke down and replied: 'All the time.' The court heard that Ms Ballentyne had previously said she lifted Atticus and gently shook him to try to wake him, but she told the jury this was not accurate. 'My memory is very clear now of that night,' she added.
Defense Cross-Examination
Nigel Power KC, acting for Bartlett, suggested Ms Ballentyne had tried to 'minimise' her actions, which she rejected. He asked: 'Tony didn't do anything to harm Atticus, did he?' Ms Ballentyne responded: 'Yes he did.'
Earlier that evening, Atticus had been cared for by his grandmother, Rachel Donovan, and her husband Andrew, while Bartlett and Ms Ballentyne visited a pub and comedy club. Mr Row previously told the jury that Bartlett had drunk up to nine pints of beer and was left to feed Atticus while his partner went upstairs to change at around 11pm. He claimed that while Ms Ballentyne was upstairs, Bartlett violently shook Atticus, causing serious internal injuries to his brain and spinal cord.
Injuries and Aftermath
Multiple ribs belonging to Atticus were also fractured, Mr Row informed the jury. After Ms Ballentyne raised the alarm, neighbours and paramedics arrived. Atticus was taken to Musgrove Park Hospital by ambulance and later transferred to Bristol Royal Hospital for Children. However, his brain damage was so severe that he never breathed independently again and did not regain consciousness. He died shortly before midnight on July 23, 2022.
Bartlett, from Axminster, Devon, denies both allegations. The trial continues.
