Grace Joy Roseman was a 7 week old baby who was placed in her Bednest Bed Side crib by her mother at around 8.30am on 9th April 2015. The crib has a panel on either side one of which can be folded down leaving about 7 cm of side with a narrow, hard metal plastic covered edge. At about 10.00am, Grace was found by her mother lying with her head over the edge of the crib and her neck resting on the low plastic ridge.
The provisional cause of death is that Grace died from Asphyxia. It appears that Grace managed to get her head over the side of the crib. Due to the weight of her head on the side of the cot her air supply was restricted and this led to her death.
The Coroner for West Sussex, Penelope Schofield has today issued an interim report expressing concern. This interim report has been served on both the National Children's Trust who sell the cot and BednestLtd.
That interim report (click here) states:
"In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken."
The Coroner lists a number of issues that are of concern in the attached report and in particular she states,
"Should another baby be placed in the prone position and left with the side incompletely lowered again in one of these cots, another death could occur. If the cot's side is not safe to be incompletely lowered or for the cot to be tilted more than 5cms then it should be questioned as to whether these should be options available at all."
The Coroner, in particular, highlights in her report, that urgent action should be taken by the NCT and Bednest Ltd.
"In my opinion urgent action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you and/or your organisation have the power to take such action."
Grace's parents are devastated that Grace has been lost.
"There are no words that can describe how we feel about the loss of our beautiful little Gracie. She was just starting to develop her own little personality and was always smiling. The Coroner’s interim report serves only to tell us that we wish to warn other parents about the risks that the Coroner has highlighted. We would not wish any parent to have to go through such a devastating loss. We are eternally grateful to the doctors and nurses at the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath, who did everything possible to try and save our little Gracie. We have set up a Just Giving page for the Special Care Baby Unit at the hospital https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/gideon-roseman" added Gideon Roseman, father of Grace and a barrister.
Jill Greenfield of law firm Fieldfisher is instructed by the family to deal with the Investigation and Inquest and says "The Interim Coroner’s report makes sober reading. We are currently working with all the agencies in order to assist in any way and we of course await the outcome of the final Inquest."
Please note that the family are not in a position to make any further press statement but felt they needed to issue this statement in order to highlight the Coroner’s concerns. Should there be any questions they should be referred to Fieldfisher only. We would ask that the press respect the request given the hugely upsetting nature of the issues involved.
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For further information, please contact:
Jill Greenfield – Solicitor, Fieldfisher, 03304606778
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