Two-week-old baby died of suspected 'fracture to skull', court hears
Daniel Gunter, 25, and Sophie Staddon, 20, are accused of murdering baby Brendon Staddon at Yeovil District Hospital in Somerset earlier this month.
Monday 11 March 2024 13:17, UK
The parents of a two-week-old baby have been remanded in custody charged with murdering him in hospital.
Daniel Gunter, 25, and Sophie Staddon, 20, are accused of killing baby Brendon Staddon.
They are alleged to have killed him at Yeovil District Hospital in Somerset on 5 March.
Both defendants have also been charged with causing or allowing Brendon's death.
The charge alleges that "being a member of the same household as and having frequent contact" with Brendon, they either caused his death or did not protect him from a foreseeable "significant risk of serious physical harm".
The pair were excused from attending a short hearing at Bristol Crown Court on Monday.
Robert Yates, prosecuting, told the court the initial indications were that Brendon died from a "significant fracture to the skull" while an inpatient in the hospital's neo-natal unit.
Brendon had been born premature two weeks previously, Mr Yates said, and was "progressing well".
A post-mortem examination is to be carried out in due course.
Rupert Morgan-Jones, representing Staddon, and Lucy Taylor, representing Gunter, did not apply for bail.
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Judge William Hart fixed a pre-trial and preparation hearing for 5 April.
No trial date was fixed but it is likely to be heard by a High Court judge.
Avon and Somerset Police previously said officers were called to the hospital by staff and an investigation was launched by the force's major crime investigation team.