Mother, 30, who smothered her seven-week-old baby to death after she fell asleep holding her while lying drunk on the sofa is spared jail

  • Stacey Atkinson rolled on top of daughter Chloe after falling asleep on the couch
  • She'd consumed half bottle of vodka when she dozed off with baby on her chest
  • Atkinson, 30, was given 12-month suspended sentence at Liverpool Crown Court

By Connor Boyd For Mailonline

Published: 14:19 EDT, 19 October 2018 | Updated: 16:30 EDT, 19 October 2018

Stacey Atkinson (pictured outside of court today), 30, smothered her daughter to death on the couch while drunk

Stacey Atkinson (pictured outside of court today), 30, smothered her daughter to death on the couch while drunk

A mother who smothered her seven-week old baby to death after falling asleep drunk on the sofa has been spared jail.

Stacey Atkinson, 30, passed out with daughter Chloe on her chest after drinking half a bottle of vodka before rolling on top of her during her sleep.

She found the baby lifeless when she woke up three hours later and tried to resuscitate her while waiting on paramedics to arrive.

Atkinson wept and trembled in Liverpool Crown Court today as the harrowing details of the child's death were read aloud.

The judge told her he had 'no doubt' that she was remorseful for her actions and had 'learned from her bitter experience' as he handed her a 12-month suspended sentence.

'She will carry the guilt for the rest of her life that Chloe trusted her and she let her down,' said her lawyer Laura Tipping.

Urging the judge not to send Atkinson straight to jail, Ms Tipping said: 'She will serve her own life sentence whatever the court does today. Her grief is palpable in communications I have had with her.'

Atkinson had pleaded guilty to willfully neglecting Chloe Atkinson Wilkie by causing unnecessary suffering and injury to health.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that the tragic incident happened on November 17, 2016, and that since then, she's given birth to another daughter.

Atkinson woke up after three hours to find seven-week-old Chloe (pictured) lifeless under her

Atkinson woke up after three hours to find seven-week-old Chloe (pictured) lifeless under her

Phil Astbury, prosecuting, said that the defendant called the emergency services at 6.23 am to her home in St Helens, Merseyside.

She told how she had fallen asleep on the settee in the early hours and woke to find her daughter unresponsive.

Atkinson had become hysterical and shouted to her partner, the baby's father, who was sleeping upstairs, the court heard before calling an ambulance.

Despite efforts by paramedics to resuscitate Chloe, she was pronounced dead at 7.15am.

She was given a 12-month suspended sentence at Liverpool Crown Court today (pictured)

She was given a 12-month suspended sentence at Liverpool Crown Court today (pictured)

Atkinson told police that she had consumed five vodkas during the previous evening.

'The officers described her as utterly distraught and apparently in shock,' said Mr Astbury. 

When police arrived at the house they found an empty brandy bottle and an unfinished vodka and Pepsi mixer on the mantelpiece. 

Atkinson had consumed half a bottle of vodka when she lay on the couch with Chloe resting on her chest

Atkinson had consumed half a bottle of vodka when she lay on the couch with Chloe resting on her chest

The court heard that a bottle of vodka was discovered in the fridge with 'very little left in it'. 

A blood sample taken from the defendant revealed she would've been approximately two and a half times the drink driving limit at 3am.

A post mortem examination found that Atkinson 'had fallen asleep and rolled on top of the baby who became trapped underneath her, possibly facing the cushion on the sofa.'

Atkinson (pictured) wept as the tragic details of Chloe's death were read out in court 

Atkinson (pictured) wept as the tragic details of Chloe's death were read out in court 

'It is well recognised that co-sleeping on a sofa is a particularly dangerous sleeping environment for any child with an increased risk of sudden death,' the pathologist said.

In an interview one month after the tragedy, Atkinson said that she had had drink problems in the past but after falling pregnant with Chloe she only drank socially with her partner.

She claimed she did not ordinarily sleep with Chloe on the couch but that night she made an exception because the child wouldn't settle.

She had only had about three hours sleep the previous night and had consumed about half a bottle of vodka that night.

The mother, from St Helens, Merseyside, admitted to having an alcohol problem before falling pregnant with Chloe - but said she only drank socially at the time of her child's death

The mother, from St Helens, Merseyside, admitted to having an alcohol problem before falling pregnant with Chloe - but said she only drank socially at the time of her child's death

Mr Astbury said that she admitted 'she had fallen asleep with her sleeping on her chest on a previous occasion.'

Ms Tipping said, 'The defendant is truly remorseful, having learned through bitter experience.'

A probation report showed that she did not present a risk to her three other daughters, including the youngest, who is one year old and they remain in her care.

She has mental health difficulties including depression, anxiety, personality disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder. 

Since Chloe's death, Atkinson was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Judge Andrew Menary, QC, told Atkinson, who sat in the well of the court rather than in the dock: 'The fact you were incapable or less capable of looking after your child as a consequence of drink is a seriously aggravating factor.'

The judge said he had 'no doubt' Atkinson was 'truly remorseful' for her actions and had learned from the 'bitter experience'

The judge said he had 'no doubt' Atkinson was 'truly remorseful' for her actions and had learned from the 'bitter experience'

He said that he had no doubt 'part of the cause of the tragedy was her extreme tiredness due to the normal demanding nature of caring for a small baby'.

The judge said Atkinson 'knew the risks of co-sleeping' and has 'suffered a terrible punishment with the reality' of what she has done.

He said that 'society demanded that a prison sentence was imposed' but he would suspend it and handed her a 12 month suspended jail term.

He also imposed a year's supervision and ordered her to carry out 20 days rehabilitation activities.

Judge Menary told her: 'I have no doubt you're truly remorseful for what you have done and have learned from this bitter experience.

'At the time you had two older children - since these tragic events you and your partner have been blessed with a new daughter.

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

'They have no concerns about the welfare of the children or your ability to provide love, care, support and nurturing for them as you no doubt you would have loved to have done for Chloe.' 

Advertisement

Mother, 30, who smothered her baby to death after falling asleep on couch in Liverpool spared jail

Most watched News videos

Comments 35

Share what you think

  View all

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

  View all

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

Add your comment

What's This?

By posting your comment you agree to our house rules.