Menu
11/11/2011
Mother Jailed For Force-Feeding Death Of Baby
A woman has been jailed for force-feeding her baby girl, eventually causing her death.
Gloria Dwomoh, a 31-year-old nurse from Walthamstow, London, is to face three years in jail after being convicted last month of causing the death of her baby daughter.
In what is believed to be the first case of a force-feeding caused death in the UK, the 10-month-old, named Diamond, was forced to drink blended solid foods from a jug at the age of six months until she died in March 2010.
Pathologist Michael Ashworth told the Old Bailey he had found the baby's lungs full of foreign material, such as meat fibres, cereal and starch grains.
He said that a chronic reaction had been going on for weeks or months and led to an acute reaction leading to death.
Dwomoh, who worked at St Thomas's Hospital near Waterloo, had denied the charge.
She had been warned against the method of feeding on numerous occasions by social workers, but had claimed the feeding technique was practiced in her family's original home of Ghana.
The trial heard she was obsessed with Diamond's weight and fed her liquidised food, including meat and cereals, using a jug when she was weaning the child onto solid food.
During the trial Andrew Edis QC, prosecuting, said the food went down the "wrong way" for months and the spout of the jug was placed into the girl's mouth to "prevent her closing it".
"If you have a child who is distressed and choking, you do not carry on," he said.
(DW/GK)
Gloria Dwomoh, a 31-year-old nurse from Walthamstow, London, is to face three years in jail after being convicted last month of causing the death of her baby daughter.
In what is believed to be the first case of a force-feeding caused death in the UK, the 10-month-old, named Diamond, was forced to drink blended solid foods from a jug at the age of six months until she died in March 2010.
Pathologist Michael Ashworth told the Old Bailey he had found the baby's lungs full of foreign material, such as meat fibres, cereal and starch grains.
He said that a chronic reaction had been going on for weeks or months and led to an acute reaction leading to death.
Dwomoh, who worked at St Thomas's Hospital near Waterloo, had denied the charge.
She had been warned against the method of feeding on numerous occasions by social workers, but had claimed the feeding technique was practiced in her family's original home of Ghana.
The trial heard she was obsessed with Diamond's weight and fed her liquidised food, including meat and cereals, using a jug when she was weaning the child onto solid food.
During the trial Andrew Edis QC, prosecuting, said the food went down the "wrong way" for months and the spout of the jug was placed into the girl's mouth to "prevent her closing it".
"If you have a child who is distressed and choking, you do not carry on," he said.
(DW/GK)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
20 January 2005
Foreign Office to issue death certificates for tsunami missing
The Foreign Office has confirmed that it will issue death certificates for British nationals missing, presumed dead, in the Boxing Day tsunami disaster.
Foreign Office to issue death certificates for tsunami missing
The Foreign Office has confirmed that it will issue death certificates for British nationals missing, presumed dead, in the Boxing Day tsunami disaster.
31 October 2005
Government to crack down on death driving offences
Tough new offences to deal with drivers who cause death on the roads were announced today by the government.
Government to crack down on death driving offences
Tough new offences to deal with drivers who cause death on the roads were announced today by the government.
27 May 2009
Baby P Sentences To Be Reviewed
The Attorney General is to examine whether the sentences handed down in the Baby P case were "unduly lenient". Last week Baby Peter's mother was jailed indefinitely for causing or allowing the 17-month-old's death.
Baby P Sentences To Be Reviewed
The Attorney General is to examine whether the sentences handed down in the Baby P case were "unduly lenient". Last week Baby Peter's mother was jailed indefinitely for causing or allowing the 17-month-old's death.
16 June 2009
Baby P Sentences "Not Unduly Lenient"
The jail sentences handed down to those found guilty for their involvement in the death of Baby P, will not be reviewed, the Attorney General today announced. Baroness Scotland was considering whether the sentences for the trio were "unduly lenient".
Baby P Sentences "Not Unduly Lenient"
The jail sentences handed down to those found guilty for their involvement in the death of Baby P, will not be reviewed, the Attorney General today announced. Baroness Scotland was considering whether the sentences for the trio were "unduly lenient".
05 August 2009
Missing Baby Found 'Safe And Well'
A nine-month-old baby girl who was reported missing from her home in Glouchestershire on Monday has been found safe and well. Maylayah Delaney had been reported missing by her mother shortly before lunch-time on Monday. Police have confirmed that a man from the West Midlands is helping them with their inquiries.
Missing Baby Found 'Safe And Well'
A nine-month-old baby girl who was reported missing from her home in Glouchestershire on Monday has been found safe and well. Maylayah Delaney had been reported missing by her mother shortly before lunch-time on Monday. Police have confirmed that a man from the West Midlands is helping them with their inquiries.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A chilly start with a widespread frost and some freezing fog, any freezing fog slow to clear. Otherwise bright with sunny spells and coastal showers. Light winds. Maximum temperature 6 °C.Tonight:Coastal showers dying out with a widespread frost developing along with freezing fog, which could become extensive. Winds remaining light. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
