Judge reflects on 'tragic case' of baby girl who died after drunk mum fell asleep on top of her

Stacey Atkinson, 30, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court, today, Friday, October 19, where she was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, suspended for one year for neglecting a child, causing unnecessary suffering or injury to health.

On November 19, 2016, Ms Atkinson woke just before 6.30am at her Marshalls Cross Road home, to find her seven-week-old daughter, Chloe Atkinson Wilkie, unconscious and unresponsive. She had fallen asleep on top of the baby on the sofa.

She had been drinking vodka prior to this incident to the point that toxicology results found that she was twice over the drink driving limit.

Despite attempts to perform CPR on Chloe, the tiny baby was confirmed as dead an hour later at hospital

Sentencing a tearful Ms Atkinson, who has been hospitalised twice in the past year with post traumatic stress, Judge Andrew Menary, QC, said: "This charge arises out of Chloe’s sudden and tragic death at the age of only seven weeks on the 19th of November 2016.

"On that date Chloe was in your care, your partner had gone to bed, and you had assumed responsibility of the baby.

"Sadly, you had been drinking that day and evening, and by the time you were on the settee with Chloe in your arms to watch some late-night TV, as the child wasn’t settling, you were severely inebriated of alcohol.

"Your blood alcohol was subsequently tested and the reading was 190 micro grams in your blood meaning at the time these tragic events occurred that was twice the drink drive limit.

"The fact you were incapable, or less capable, of caring for a child by a consequence of drink is a seriously aggravating factor.

"No doubt also is part of the cause of this tragedy was your extreme tiredness due to the normal and demanding nature of caring for a young baby.

"In the early hours of that morning you fell asleep with Chloe in your arms.

"You knew the dangers of co-sleeping with a baby, particularly on a settee, something that is obviously highly dangerous.

"When you woke up shortly before 6.30am, something over three hours after you believe you fell asleep, it was clear to you that Chloe had become trapped between you and the settee and was unresponsive.

"You also realised the horror of what you had done.

"Whatever sentence I pose today, you have already suffered the terrible punishment of the reality of what you did.

"I make it clear at this stage that I’m not going to sentence to prison today, there must be a prison sentence, as society demands that as punishment for those who – whatever their personal difficulties – neglect their children with tragic consequences, but the prison sentence that must follow is going to be suspended.

"Taking into regard your personal mitigation and your current responsibility in regards to your other children, it is possible for me to suspend this sentence.

"I have no doubt you are deeply remorseful for what you have done and have learned from this bitter experience.

"At the time you had two other older children and since these tragic events you and your partner have been blessed with a new daughter Jessica who is now one.

"The statutory authorities have investigated this matter and are perfectly satisfied that you and your partner are in all other respects, perfectly loving, caring and capable parents.

"They have no concern about the welfare of the children and your ability to provide love, care, support and nurturing for them, as no doubt you would have clearly wanted to have done for Chloe.

"This is a tragic case and I have in mind the very long time since this incident occurred and the troubling delay there has been since these events.

"You will be subject to a period of 12 months imprisonment, it would have been 18 but for your plea of guilty, and that will be suspended for a period of 12 months."

She has also been order to undergo a rehabilitation activity for a period of up to 20 days.