Distraught mum collapsed and died 14 hours after baby's suspected co-sleeping death, inquest hears

A five-month old baby may have died in a co-sleeping tragedy 14 hours before his mum's death, medical experts have told a Staffordshire inquest.

Emergency services received reports that the baby was not breathing and had gone cold, when they were called his home in Newcastle-under-Lyme on August 9 last year.

Kevin Deguita was later pronounced dead at the Royal Stoke University Hospital.

His mum Viktorija Mardosiene, 32, later checked into Harplands Hospital mental health unit where she told staff she was bereft at the death of her child.

While there, the Lithuanian national went into cardiac arrest, and later died at the same hospital as her son.

The inquest into mother and baby's deaths has been opened and adjourned by North Staffordshire coroner Duncan Richie, who said more research was needed.

A statement was heard from PC Tyler Lowe of Staffordshire Police, who said: "We heard from the paramedics that he was not getting any air and a tube was inserted into his mouth and throat.

"We approached Viktorija to make inquiries, she said: 'No English'. We kept some distance. She was on the phone to the baby's father asking: 'Is my baby dead?'. She began to cry."We heard how she had taken the baby to bed, sleeping, at 11pm. At 1:34am we heard doctors had ceased CPR and stopped life care. Viktorija was then conveyed to hospital."The inquest also heard about the conditions the house was found in.

DC Craig Flowers from Staffordshire Police's child protection unit said: "It would be fair to say the house was found in some state of disarray.

"I went to the address the day after and can confirm she was sleeping in a double bed. There were empty cans of alcohol in the bedroom."Viktorija was breathalysed at the scene and her level was found to be 40mcg/ml. The drink driving limit is 35.“It is fair to state she was in an understandably upset state. She was screaming, shouting and rocking back and forth screaming 'kill me'."There had been concerns about domestic issues in the past. There was a history of contact between emergency services and the couple."

The inquest also heard evidence from consultant paediatric pathologist Dr Roger Malcomson who confirmed a thorough post-mortem examination had been carried out on the baby and had found no abnormalities.

He said: “There were no significant internal or external injuries. His body weight was average and his head circumference was small, relatively, and his body length was long for his age. There was no abnormal pattern of growth and he was adequately nourished."His internal organs were normally arranged and there was no metabolic abnormality. There was no significant finding, there was a mild degree of congestion and some small haemorrhages but we see those very frequently and they are very difficult to ascribe cause."What we are left with is a baby who has died co-sleeping with a parent. There is no specific medical cause of death after a comprehensive autopsy."There are problems associated with co-sleeping including overlaying. There is also a risk of hypothermia and restricting of airways. There is nothing sufficient to suggest a specific cause of death."I would consider an unascertained cause of death. With the debate of if this was a natural or unnatural death, I don't think there is sufficient evidence to suggest either way."

The inquest into Ms Mardosiene's death heard she had complained of chest pains when she was voluntarily taken to Harplands.

She suddenly collapsed later that afternoon, and was confirmed dead at 3.53pm - just 14 hours after the death of her baby, Kevin.

A psychiatry specialist explained she had been "crying uncontrollably" and had "elevated blood pressure."

Dr Oluwafemi Popoola said: "She was met by the deputy ward manager and had periods where she was distressed and crying uncontrollably. However, she did engage well with the service. She had an elevated blood pressure."She collapsed in the hospital and CPR was done. Paramedics arrived at 3:05pm and took her to Royal Stoke with a suspected cardiac arrest."She had not reported any self-harm or suicide prior to the death of her son. However she was saying 'kill me'. She had no previous contact with mental health services. She was given diazepam before her death. The dosage was the appropriate and safe amount given."A toxicologist's report showed while there was a small amount of diazepam, there were no traces of drugs or alcohol in her system. There was not enough to indicate drug toxicity.

The coroner's pathologist subsequently said he could not identify a clear medical cause of death.Dr Andrew Hitchcock who carried out a post-mortem examination, said: "There were no external injuries. However, there was a granular material found in the abdomen. It looks like the medication that people take, the sort you see in open capsules."It looked like a pharmaceutical substance although I cannot say for certain. It was certainly taken by mouth."On the balance of probability, I cannot identify exactly what the medical cause of death. The granular materials themselves were non-toxic as there was no mention in the report. They would have been taken within 14 hours of death but I cannot say exactly when."The inquests were adjourned to a later date while more evidence is requested.